1. We are about to celebrate a birthday. The organizational meeting that led to the formation of Habitat for Humanity was held in 1976 in a converted chicken barn in rural South Georgia. With our exponential growth in the intervening years and the tremendous support of readers like you, Habitat homeowners around the world have achieved the strength, stability and independence they need to build a better life for themselves. Our work together has helped more than 5 million people.
  2. We know a lot of people. Five U.S. presidents and many other famous people — including actors Susan Sarandon and Vanessa Williams, musicians Trisha Yearwood and Garth Brooks, legendary boxer Evander Holyfield, and former NFL quarterback John Elway — have built alongside our homeowners over the years. The more than 2 million volunteers who work with Habitat every year are your next-door neighbor, your work colleague or a person like you just looking to make a difference. We always have room!
  3. We see the benefit of working side by side every day. Habitat partner families help build their own homesalongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Homeowners invest their time, money and sweat in building their house. They work beside volunteers who devote their hard work to contributing to a home for someone else. The money from the mortgage goes toward helping another family realize their dream of owning a home.
  4. We wear lots of (hard) hats. In addition to building new houses, we also partner with families in need of a new roof, a wheelchair ramp or other repairs. We work with hundreds of communities in the U.S.revitalizing neighborhoods and have participated in 7,500 community projects in the past three years alone. On the global scene, our disaster response and recovery efforts provide shelter assistance, education and training to areas affected by hurricanes, earthquakes and other disasters.
  5. We like a challenge. The record for building a new Habitat house in the least amount of time was established in Alabama’s Shelby County — 3 hours, 26 minutes and 34 seconds, breaking the previous record of 3 hours, 44 minutes and 59 seconds. “Who knew?” said Habitat homeowner Bonnie Faye Lilly after she and dozens of volunteers pulled off the feat. Whenever possible, Habitat builds and improves homes using the latest technologies. From Energy Star-rated appliances to solar panels, innovations allow homeowners to save money on energy costs and make the most of their homes.
  6. We are big into recycling. Habitat ReStores sell new and gently used furniture, home accessories, building materials and appliances to the public at a fraction of the retail price. These nonprofit stores are owned and operated by local Habitats, with proceeds going to build homes, communities and hope locally and around the world. Find a ReStore near you.
  7. We need your financial support. At Habitat for Humanity, we believe that every child needs a place to call home. A place where they can grow up healthy, be safe and learn. Your tax-deductible donation of even as little as $20 a month could help a family build a more secure future.