Lending a Hand for Hurricane Recovery
On a sweltering day in Houston, more than 30 associates from five area Home Depot stores helped two local families repair their hurricane-damaged homes. Volunteers installed drywall, painted, planted trees and hauled away debris.
The effort was part of The Home Depot Foundation’s $1 million commitment to Hurricane Ike recovery and rebuilding efforts in Houston and Galveston. Through its partnership with Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) in Houston, The Home Depot Foundation is supporting the rebuilding or refurbishment of nearly 70 homes.
Under this initiative, the Foundation is supporting energy-efficient, environmentally friendly building techniques when possible, including:
- Low-VOC paints to limit chemicals and improve air quality
- Quality insulation and weatherization (including low-E windows and ridge vents
- Mold and mildew remediation)
- Efficient HVAC systems (12 SEER rating)
“I want to thank The Home Depot associates for their hard work on these houses,” said Amanda Timm, executive director of LISC. “The classic Houston heat and humidity didn’t put a damper on anyone’s effort. The son of one of the homeowners cried tears of joy when he saw what had been done for his mother. He was very touched that so many people, who didn’t even know her, would spend the day fixing her home. “
The Home Depot, The Home Depot Foundation and our associate volunteers are uniquely equipped to help in the aftermath of hurricanes and other natural disasters.
“Our commitment extends beyond the immediate disaster relief needs,” said Kelly Caffarelli, president of The Home Depot Foundation. “Through partnerships with organizations like LISC, we support the long term efforts to rebuild homes in a healthy, sustainable way.
“Team Depot associates are a critical part of The Home Depot Foundation’s commitment to building healthy communities,” Kelly noted. “By combining grant funds with the skills of our associate volunteers, we can have an even greater impact.”
