Mich. bank sponsors a habitat House as part of Blitz Build

Northwestern Financial Review, Jan 1, 2002

The Citizens Bank of Saginaw, Mich., helped sponsor a Habitat for Humanity house during Saginaw Habitat's 2001 Blitz Build.

Citizens Bank not only contributed financially to the project's success but also with sweat equity as 65 bank employees, family members and board members contributed more than 400 hours of help to build the house. Several Citizens Bank clients also supported the effort by providing skilled employees and equipment. Terry Niederstadt and Helen Weitzmann of Citizens Bank worked from early March through September to oversee the volunteers and resources necessary to complete the project.

The new owner of the home is Tena Murray, a single mother who is a producer for Delta College Public Radio. Her daughters, Victoria and Domynieshia, ages 9 and 7, are happy to have A new home. During the construction of their home, Tena took many photographs of the progress. "I'll keep a scrapbook," she said. "It will be good for the kids and other family members to see."

Habitat Blitz 2001 completed construction of 11 new homes in a neighborhood designated as a zero tolerance area by the Saginaw police department. For the entire year Saginaw's Habitat for Humanity chapter completed 15 new homes and rehabilitated two others.

Citizens Bank also helped Saginaw Habitat for Humanity qualify for a $250,000 grant from the Affordable Housing Program from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis to help finance the blitz build. "This is the biggest grant we've gotten," said John Perna, executive director of Saginaw Habitat for Humanity.

"It's a great plum for this community," observed Niederstadt.

"We're eligible to assist nonprofit organizations in obtaining grants used toward revitalizing neighborhoods and stabilizing communities," explained Harry McBride of Citizens Bank. "Habitat for Humanity is a perfect niche."

The AHP program at the Indianapolis FHLB has awarded more than $81 million to help more than 18,400 lowincome families enjoy improved housing since 1990. Habitat for Humanity International says the FHLB System is the largest corporate sponsor of Habitat for Humanity.