Habitat for Humanity Williamson-Maury (HFHWM) build site volunteers may not hear it coming but they won’t be able to miss the nonprofit’s new Nissan LEAF, donated by Nissan North America. This 2016 all-electric car is wrapped in eye-catching graphics, serving both as a much-needed way to get staff and materials to the build site and a vehicle to raise awareness of the nonprofit’s affordable housing mission.
“We are pleased to donate an all-electric Nissan LEAF to Habitat for Humanity of Williamson-Maury to assist staff and support construction activities,” said Rebecca Vest, vice president of Corporate Development and Social Responsibility, Nissan. “Nissan’s mission is to enrich people’s lives, so we value our partnership with Habitat for Humanity because it helps to build sustainable communities in the areas where our employees live and work.”
For the last 11 years, Nissan has sponsored and volunteer-built a whole home each year for the HFHWM affiliate. This year’s HFHWM Nissan Build begins October 5th in Fairview, TN. Over the next six weeks, 300 volunteers from Nissan’s corporate office in Franklin will donate their time to build a home with the Williams family. After completion, the home will be sold to the family with an affordable, no interest mortgage.
“Habitat for Humanity Williamson-Maury is honored to have Nissan as one of our most generous and loyal partners,” explains HFHWM Executive Director Becket Moore. “The LEAF has provided us with an economical and environmentally-friendly way to transport food and supplies to the volunteers on the build site. Thank you for all you do, Nissan.”
Nissan has contributed more than $15 million to Habitat nationally since the partnership began in 2005, when Nissan donated 50 trucks and mobilized employees to assist in home building following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in the Gulf Coast region.
Nissan has continued to support Habitat’s disaster response program through the years by providing more than $500,000 in funding and seven mobile response units. Nissan has donated an additional 93 trucks and helped to build 85 homes across the U.S. Nissan’s employees have logged more than 97,000 volunteer hours with Habitat for Humanity.
For additional information or to get involved as a donor, sponsor or volunteer for HFHWM’s home build or critical repair programs, please contact Jennee Galland at 615-550-5617 or visit www.hfhwm.org.
About Habitat for Humanity Williamson Maury
For 24 years, Habitat for Humanity Williamson-Maury (HFHWM) has partnered with local churches, businesses, foundations, and the public sector to provide 217 Williamson and Maury County families with the opportunity to purchase their own homes. Home construction and neighborhood development is funded through tax-deductible financial contributions and in-kind donations from local businesses, churches, civic organizations, and individuals, as well as through profits generated from the affiliate’s ReStore. These contributions, along with the labor of sponsor employees, church members, high school students, and other volunteers, enable HFHWM to build and sell homes to families who qualify.
After a thorough qualification process, applicants are selected based on three criteria: the need for affordable housing, the ability to pay the mortgage, and the willingness to partner. HFHWM partner families must complete a homebuyer’s education program and earn at least 200 hours of “sweat equity” by working on their home and the homes of others. HFHWM sells the homes with an affordable mortgage to the families. For more information about our homeownership program, volunteering, or sponsorship opportunities, please visit www.hfhwm.org.
About Nissan North America
In North America, Nissan’s operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program and has been recognized annually by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency as an ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year since 2010. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.infinitiusa.com, or visit the U.S. media sites NissanNews.com and infinitinews.com.
