General Growth Properties' Build Day Continues Trend of Giving Back to the Local Community
GGP employees will commit 100-plus hours of manpower to help construct a home on the Leeward coast
HONOLULU - As part of its new national partnership with non-profit organization, Habitat for Humanity, General Growth Properties Hawaii, announced that it will partner with Habitat for Humanity Leeward Oahu to sponsor a GGP Build Day. GGP's Build Day, scheduled to take place on Saturday, August 25, will bring together more than 30 employee volunteers from GGP malls across Oahu, including Ala Moana Center, Ward Centers and Windward Mall.
The volunteers will work in two shifts scheduled between 8:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m. While on site, GGP volunteers will be responsible for finishing details of the house by painting the interior walls and trim of a new seven-bedroom home. In total, GGP employee volunteers will commit close to 100 hours of manpower to help complete a new home for the Kaneakua family, which currently consists of 3 adults and 10 children. For some of the family's children, this home will mark the first time that they have lived under a roof. The home, which is located in the Oahu's Leeward community, will be the largest Habitat for Humanity home on Oahu.
"General Growth Properties remains committed to actively engaging with and giving back to the communities where it works. With our three-year partnership with Habitat for Humanity we believe that we'll be able to make a difference in Hawaii's housing situation by bringing awareness to this important organization and supporting their local funding efforts by raising $50,000 in 2007," said Sharon James, regional vice president of marketing for General Growth Properties. "Thanks to the continued support from our dedicated employees, we are able to contribute to an effort that will have a lasting impact on the lives of one Leeward Oahu family. Habitat for Humanity's efforts touches one family at a time, which we are very proud to support."
This year alone, with the help of Hawaii Habitat for Humanity, GGP employees have dedicated more than 200 hours to support Hawaii's families in need. Recently on May 25, more than 70 GGP employees turned out to help erect the frame of a house in the parking lot of Ala Moana Center. The labor was completed entirely by volunteer GGP Hawaii employees and the completed frame later will go on to become the home for one Leeward Habitat for Humanity partner family on Oahu.
Nationally, GGP has teamed up with Habitat for Humanity International in a three-year partnership to raise awareness about the need for safe and affordable housing, and to help build homes for families in need in communities where GGP malls are located. Across Hawaii, GGP is aiming to raise $50,000 to put towards materials and supplies for the homes Habitat for Humanity builds.
For more information about the many ways that GGP and Habitat for Humanity are working to foster hope by building homes in Hawaii, and for information on how you can get involved, please visit www.alamoanacenter.com/hawaiihabitatforhuminity.htm.
ABOUT ALA MOANA CENTER
Ala Moana Center is the world's largest outdoor shopping center and Hawaii's premier shopping, entertainment, and dining destination with 260 stores, including nearly 70 dining options. Ala Moana Center features a diverse collection of stores including locally owned boutiques and national retailers. Visit www.AlaMoanaCenter.com for more information.
Ala Moana Center is owned and managed by General Growth Properties, Inc., the second largest U.S.-based publicly traded real estate investment trust (REIT) based upon market capitalization. General Growth has ownership interest or management responsibility for a portfolio of more than 200 regional shopping malls in 45 states, as well as ownership interest in master-planned community developments and commercial office centers. General Growth's international portfolio includes ownership and management interest in shopping centers in Brazil and Turkey. The company's portfolio totals approximately 200 million square feet and includes more than 24,000 retail stores nationwide. General Growth Properties, Inc. is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol GGP. For more information, please visit www.ggp.com
ABOUT HABITAT FOR HUMANITY LEEWARD OAHU
Habitat for Humanity Leeward Oahu is a non-profit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry that builds simple, decent, affordable homes in partnership with very low-income families. It is their mission to eliminate substandard housing and homelessness in Leeward O'ahu. To learn more about Habitat for Humanity Leeward O'ahu visit www.leewardhabitat.org.
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