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Contact:	Robert Schmermund (202) 857-3104 Jim Eberle (202) 857-3145	Jim Eberle (202) 857-3145 (work) (703) 893-2593 (home) [email protected] Kathleen Moore Habitat for Humanity International (202) 628-9171 ext.4918 (301) 437-9624 cellular [email protected]	For Immediate Release October 16, 2004 #04-53
E-mail: [email protected]

ACB, HABITAT FOR HUMANITY VOLUNTEERS HELP ‘RAISE THE WALL’ ON HOUSE IN NORTHEAST WASHINGTON

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ACB News Center: Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, Wilson C Room, Mezzanine Level News Center Phone Number, Oct. 17-20: (202) 745-2112

WASHINGTON, D.C., Oct. 16, 2004 — Nearly 100 community bankers and their spouses — members of America’s Community Bankers and its ACB Housing Partners Foundation — helped “raise the wall” on a Habitat for Humanity house in northeast Washington today.

The family that will eventually occupy the home — Daryl and Carla Floyd and their three young children — participated in the build activities, with Daryl and Carla working alongside the volunteers. ACB bankers and their spouses arrived early to work on the Habitat house before the opening of this year’s annual convention, Sunday, Oct. 17, at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel.

ACB and ACB Housing Partners Foundation fully sponsored the build with a contribution of $139,000. ACB’s philanthropic efforts to give back to the community that hosts its annual convention began in 1991 in Washington with a contribution to So Others Might Eat. Since then, the ACB foundation has given more than $1.2 million to worthy charities in cities across the nation.

This is the fourth year that ACB has partnered with Habitat for Humanity to build a house in the host city of ACB’s annual convention. This year’s build is part of Habitat for Humanity’s Congress Building America program. ACB is one of 14 national underwriters of Congress Building America, which invites members of Congress to partner with Habitat for Humanity affiliates to build Habitat houses in their respective home district and state, while raising awareness about the need for affordable housing.

Congress Building America is an initiative that represents a cooperative effort among Habitat for Humanity International, the U.S. Congress, the Department of Housing and Urban Development and national corporate and non-profit sponsors. The program produces new, affordable single-family homes and strengthens the network of affordable housing supporters. It also highlights the importance of volunteerism by partnering members of Congress in the construction of simple and decent homes.

“I am so proud of this build here in Washington, D.C., because it is symbolic that even in our nation’s capital there is a real need for affordable and decent housing,” said Carole Zuppe, chair of ACB Housing Partners Foundation. “All of us working together are taking the first steps to help the Floyd family achieve the American Dream: owning a home of their own.”

Diane Casey-Landry, president and CEO of America’s Community Bankers, said: “Our partnership with Habitat reinforces our community bankers’ commitment to housing and homeownership. Community bankers don’t just provide loans to build houses. They help to build homes.”

“Habitat for Humanity deeply appreciates ACB’s dedication to helping us provide affordable housing for American families,” said Tom Jones, vice president, Habitat for Humanity International. “Not only has the organization and its member banks sponsored the construction of numerous houses, these bankers lend their talents to work alongside Habitat staff and homeowners in communities around the country.”

America’s Community Bankers is the national trade association committed to shaping the future of banking by being the innovative industry leader strengthening the competitive position of community banks. To learn more about ACB, visit www.AmericasCommunityBankers.com.

Habitat for Humanity International, based in Americus, Ga., is a Christian ministry dedicated to eliminating poverty housing. By the end of 2005, Habitat will have built its 200,000th house and more than 1 million people will be living in Habitat homes they help build and are buying through no-profit, zero-interest mortgages. www.habitat.org

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