BMW kicks off 100th anniversary build with new Habitat partnership
January 21, 2016
GREENVILLE, SC – In celebration of BMW’s 100 year anniversary, the company is partnering with Habitat for Humanity in a unique way to build a new home for a family.
Because Greer straddles two counties, the build is made possible through a collaborative partnership between the Habitat for Humanity affiliates in Greenville and Spartanburg counties. While build partnerships between affiliates are uncommon, the impact of this gift across two communities reflects BMW’s overall impact on both Greenville and Spartanburg.
“BMW is proud to collaborate with both Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County and Habitat for Humanity of Spartanburg and provide a new home for a deserving family,” said Manfred Erlacher, President and CEO, BMW Manufacturing. “As we celebrate our 100-Year anniversary, it seems fitting to give back to this great community that has supported us for more than 20 years.”
“It is exciting to have the opportunity to collaborate with BMW of North America and Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County on this unique project,” said Lee Close, Executive Director for Habitat for Humanity of Spartanburg. “BMW is a flagship company in the Upstate and should be commended for reaching out to assist families in need of safe and affordable housing by sponsoring the BMW Habitat Home in Greer. We look forward to working with the BMW associates to build this home and to the day the home is dedicated for a new Habitat family.”
“BMW has been a great community partner to both affiliates over the years, and we wanted to celebrate their commitment to Habitat in a unique way,” said Monroe Free, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County. “This partnership is the first of its kind among Upstate Habitat affiliates, and we’re proud that BMW wants to honor their 100th anniversary in this way.”
The build will kick off with senior BMW executives presenting a $70,000 check to the Greenville and Spartanburg affiliates. The money raised covers the entire cost of building materials for the home. The presentation will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 20, in front of the build site, at 210 Brown Street, Greer.
Activity on the build site will begin with a wall-raising on March 10, and BMW employees will work throughout the spring to complete the build. The build is expected to take three months, and will culminate in a special dedication ceremony in June for the Lee family, the new homeowners.
About Habitat for Humanity of Spartanburg: Since 1987, Habitat for Humanity of Spartanburg has provided safe, affordable housing for 115 low-income 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. It is the 2015 winner of the 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
