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PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                                                            Contact:  Tom Pittman – 449.5002

                                                                             Lynn Espy

HABITAT GAINS SUPPORT FOR PROJECT BUILD

 PICTURED: (from left) Tom Pittman, President of Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi and Lynn Espy, Executive Director of Clarksdale Habitat for Humanity

Volunteers for the Clarksdale Area Habitat for Humanity turned out on October 24 for Project Build with an extra incentive…….a $2,360 grant.  Thanks to a generous donation from Gold Strike Casino Resort to the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi’s Volunteer Northwest Mississippi (volunteer center) materials and supplies were purchased for the day’s work. 

 “The Community Foundation’s mission is to connect people—and in this case, a business—who care with causes that matter,” Community Foundation President Tom Pittman said. “Habitat for Humanity provides a wonderful way to improve housing and quality of life in a community.” 

 Clarksdale Habitat for Humanity was a part of Impact Week, an initiative of Gold Strike Casino Resort.  Impact Week is a part of Gold Strike’s Diversity Month.  During this week, employees are encouraged to complete hands on volunteer projects that will greatly impact their communities.  Shulanda Johnson, Volunteer Coordinator for Volunteer Northwest Mississippi, coordinated the project with employees of Gold Strike Casino Resort.  “Volunteer Northwest Mississippi was glad to be a part of this project”, SAID Shulanda Johnson.   “Impact Week’s vision is parallel to that of Make A Difference Day and the mission of our Center.  We look forward to extending our services to organizations, volunteers and the community members to help connect the dots that link them to causes that matter…” (Johnson)

 In 2007, Gold Strike Casino Resort purchased and installed playground equipment in Jonestown, MS.

 Clarkdale Area Habitat for Humanity’s mission is to work in partnership with the Clarksdale community providing simple, decent, and affordable housing for families in need.  The organization has been active in the community since the late 1980s and have built more than thirty homes.  Lynn Espy serves as the Executive Director. 

Habitat uses three criteria to select homeowners:  need for adequate shelter, ability to pay, and willingness to partner.  They select families in a manner that complies with all federal laws prohibiting discrimination and once selected Habitat works in partnership with these families.   Homeowners are required to complete 400 hours of "sweat equity" before moving into their home. Normally, they accept applications in the spring of each year.  Interested families can contact the affiliate in March to find out more information.  An orientation and informational meeting at which point applications are distributed.  They welcome local and out-of-town volunteers year round!

 The Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi is a charitable organization serving eight counties. Rob Tyner of Clarksdale serves on the Foundation’s Board of Directors, and Skip Graeber of Clarksdale is on the Advisory Board.

 Working with volunteers and nonprofits is the business of Volunteer Northwest Mississippi.  To learn more about this organization, call Shulanda Johnson at 662.449.5002 or visit www.volunteernwms.org.