Dow Donation Launches

Habitat Project

BROOKFIELD –– When the gavel came down on a very special item during Housatonic Habitat for Humanity’s first-ever fundraising auction at the Candlewood Inn on March 28, a dream began to come true for a hard-working area family.

Thanks to a corporate giving program geared to support employee involvement in local communities, Dow purchased the symbolic item –– a new house –– for the full $70,000 anticipated construction cost. The build will take place on an unoccupied residential lot in the area and be accomplished by volunteers working in partnership with Housatonic Habitat for Humanity volunteers and staff.

“We are delighted to be able to expand on our company’s worldwide commitment to Habitat for Humanity, and to continue the tradition of community involvement Union Carbide maintained here before its acquisition by Dow,” says Tim Mathewson, Dow senior organizational effectiveness consultant. “Habitat house builds are true grass-roots efforts, and this one will bring another affordable home to a region with high housing costs.”

Over the last 20 years, Dow has contributed more than $10 million in products and cash to Habitat construction projects. Most recently, in 2001, the Dow Chemical Company Foundation made a $2 million commitment to sponsor house builds over four years, and Dow committed to supply $5 million of Styrofoam® extruded polystyrene insulation for the next 25,000 Habitat homes built in North America from 2002 through 2005.

“Habitat works in partnership with local organizations and companies like Dow to help responsible, low-income families revitalize inner city properties,” said Christopher Brown, executive director, Housatonic Habitat for Humanity. “Families apply to local Habitat affiliates, then volunteer ‘sweat equity’ hours on a project house before becoming eligible for one of their own. Construction is financed through private funds and houses are sold to families for the cost of purchases and materials under 30-year, no-interest mortgages.”

Final selection of the construction site for the local Dow build, and the family that will purchase the home, are under way.

Dow is a science and technology company that provides chemical, plastic and agricultural products and services to many consumer markets. With annual sales of $27 billion, Dow serves customers in more than 170 countries and a wide range of markets, including food, transportation, health and medicine, personal and home care, and building and construction, among others. More information on Dow’s support of Habitat for Humanity, visit www.dowhabitat.com