BMW Associates to raise walls on Habitat for Humanity home
March 10, 2016
GREER, SC – In true teamwork fashion typically reserved for a high-tech assembly line, BMW Associates will raise exterior walls on the first BMW Habitat home during a Wall-Raising Ceremony on Thursday, March 10 at the build site, 210 Brown St. in Greer.
The ceremony will begin at 11:30 a.m. with speakers from Habitat Greenville, Habitat Spartanburg, BMW and the Lee family, who was chosen as the BMW Habitat Home partner family. A barbecue lunch will follow.
In celebration of BMW Group’s 100th Anniversary, BMW Manufacturing has committed $70,000 to fully sponsor the home’s construction. BMW associates from the Spartanburg plant will volunteer on the build during the three-month project. Greer was selected as the site location since it spans the borders of Greenville and Spartanburg counties. Habitat Greenville and Habitat Spartanburg construction staff will work alongside volunteers to manage the unique project.
Catherine Lee, a cosmetologist, said she is thankful for the opportunity to participate in the Habitat program and her affordable new home will enable her to provide a future of new opportunities for her children. As a Habitat program participant, Catherine will complete 200 hours of sweat equity and 25 hours of homeownership preparation classes.
“We are thrilled to be a part of making a dream come true for the Lee family,” said Manfred Erlacher, President and CEO of BMW Manufacturing Co. “On the occasion of the 100th Anniversary for BMW Group, and as we look to the next 100 years of our company, it is only fitting that our associates have a part in building a bright future for this family and the Greer community.”
Leaders of both Habitat affiliates expressed deep gratitude to BMW for their vision of providing affordable housing for qualifying partner families.
“Habitat Greenville is excited to be partnering with BMW and working in collaboration with Habitat Spartanburg to help the Lee family build and buy an affordable home,” stated Monroe Free, President and CEO of Habitat Greenville. “We are grateful for the vision of BMW that has brought about this unique project, enabling the Lee family to build strength, stability and self-reliance through affordable homeownership.”
“This is truly a ground-breaking event,” said Lee Close, Executive Director of Habitat Spartanburg. “As we break ground for a new Habitat home for the Lee family, we also break new ground with sponsorship by BMW in celebration of their 100th Anniversary, and we break new ground in collaborative partnership between Habitat Spartanburg and Habitat Greenville. We are honored to be part of this project.”
About BMW Manufacturing Co.
BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC is a subsidiary of BMW AG in Munich, Germany and is the global producer of the BMW X3 and X5 Sports Activity Vehicles and X4 and X6 Sports Activity Coupe. In addition to the South Carolina manufacturing facility, BMW Group North American subsidiaries include sales, marketing and financial services operations in the United States, Canada and throughout Latin America; and a design firm and technology office in California. For more information on BMW Manufacturing, visit www.bmwusfactory.com.
About Habitat for Humanity of Spartanburg
Since 1987, Habitat for Humanity of Spartanburg has provided safe, affordable housing for 115 deserving partner families. Most recently, Habitat Spartanburg collaborated with the City of Spartanburg’s Northside Development Group to build three, ENERGY STAR 3.0 homes on the city’s Northside, a former mill village in the midst of neighborhood revitalization. Habitat Spartanburg offers financial counseling, home maintenance classes and the Healthy Homes Program, a nationally recognized initiative developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More information is available at www.habitatspartanburg.org.
About Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County
Through affordable home construction, Habitat for Humanity of Greenville strives to eliminate poverty housing and the social and economic problems it causes. Habitat Greenville received the Greenville Chamber’s Neighborhood Improvement Award in 2015, and was recognized with the 2015 Nonprofit Excellence Award, given by the SC Association of Nonprofit Organizations (SCANPO). Habitat Greenville, chartered in 1985, celebrated its 30th anniversary and construction of its 330th home in 2015. Learn more at www.habitatgreenville.org.
