Habitat for Humanity, Sorenson build home

ATLANTA -- Bank of America associate volunteers and Nextel Cup Series driver and Georgia native, Reed Sorenson on Wednesday teamed up with Atlanta Habitat for Humanity to build a new home.

The home, funded by the Bank of America Charitable Foundation's most recent commitment to Habitat for Humanity International, will be located on Avon Avenue in the Oakland City neighborhood. Chandra Gladmon, who works for Cobb County Community Services Board, has put in 50 of the 250 'sweat equity' hours required on building other families' houses. Now, she will begin building a home for her and her 3-year-old son.

"Bank of America is pleased to further Habitat's efforts in our community and to provide affordable housing for working families like the Gladmons," said Sam Blakeslee, Southeast Regional Executive Bank of America. "Creating more affordable housing is imperative in Georgia and in communities across the country. Bank of America has worked closely with Habitat for Humanity for the past 20 years, and I am thrilled to join them, Reed and my teammates here today to celebrate this important occasion."

Announced earlier this year, the Bank of America Charitable Foundation continued its support of Habitat for Humanity International with a $6 million donation to increase the nonprofit's capacity to provide quality, affordable housing for families worldwide. Habitat for Humanity will utilize the funds to support their general operations as well as financing home construction and renovation for families around the world.

"We're grateful not only for the resources that will substantially impact our work, but also for the enthusiasm with which Bank of America associates display through volunteering, ultimately making the joy of homeownership a reality for this working family," said Larrie Del Martin, Executive Director, Atlanta Habitat for Humanity.

What began 20 years ago as a home sponsorship program has become an expanded and multifaceted partnership. Under former Bank of America Chairman and CEO Hugh McColl Jr.'s leadership, a commitment to Habitat turned the Jimmy Carter Work Project into a 14-house "blitz build" in Charlotte and the first worldwide House Raising Week.

The Bank of America Charitable Foundation has donated more than $10 million to home-building efforts with Habitat for Humanity International since 2002 as well as $200,000 to local affiliates to increase building capacity and $250,000 to Operation Home Delivery, Habitat's hurricane recovery project. The corporation has also given $600,000 to Operation Home Delivery.