NEWS - Non-Profit Organizations

Oct 24, 2011 - Habitat for Humanity of Effingham County has been selected to participate in Repair Corps, a veterans-support initiative of Habitat for Humanity International and The Home Depot Foundation.

Habitat for Humanity of Effingham County is one of only 36 Habitat affiliates in the U.S. selected to participate in this pilot program designed to support veterans in need of home repair. The local chapter will be granted up to $10,000 for repair work on the home of U.S. veterans in Effingham County.

Repair Corps is designed under the same model as new homes built with Habitat families where the veteran will repay the zero interest loan necessary for these repairs. Habitat for Humanity in Effingham County is currently soliciting applications from eligible veterans to participate.

“We are excited to participate in the launch of Habitat for Humanity’s Repair Corps program and grateful to The Home Depot Foundation for funding this project,” said Jimmy Rutland, executive director for Habitat for Humanity of Effingham County. “It is truly an honor to work in partnership with former service men and women, and their families.”

According to George Groce, development director for Habitat for Humanity of Effingham County, “As a veteran with 20 years of military service, I greatly appreciate the opportunity to help fellow veterans with their housing needs. It’s a wonderful way to thank our veterans for all they have done.”

Habitat for Humanity’s national Repair Corps will begin as a pilot project funded by The Home Depot Foundation with an $800,000 cash and in-kind gift card donation. Home repair grants will be allocated in amounts up to $10,000 for each Repair Corps project. The program grants will cover the cost of a variety of repairs that could include roofing and weather stripping to the installation of wheelchair ramps and renovated bathrooms and doorways to accommodate disabled veterans.

“We are proud to partner with Habitat for Humanity International as we aim to ensure that every U.S. veteran has a safe and accessible place to call home,” according to Kelly Caffarelli, president, The Home Depot Foundation.

Habitat for Humanity’s Repair Corps is part of a three-year, $30 million investment The Home Depot Foundation is making to multiple organizations to help ease the burdens of military veterans by repairing and renovating homes and public facilities for military veterans.

The Home Depot Foundation was created in 2002, and has granted more than $270 million to nonprofit organizations improving homes and lives in local communities.