Dow Automotive employees will participate in Habitat for Humanity’s Blitz Build ’06 in Detroit September 11-15. During the Fall Blitz Build, sponsors, volunteers and families will join to build 12 houses in the MorningSide Commons neighborhood. This year will be Habitat Detroit’s first major redevelopment effort on Detroit’s east side since 2001 and the fifth consecutive year of participation for Dow Automotive team. 

More than 100 Dow Automotive employees will help construct a ranch-style home at 4242 Maryland Street, raising walls, setting trusses, putting on roofing and siding, and installing initial landscape on the property. In addition, STYROFOAM™ extruded polystyrene has been donated by Dow for the exterior insulation on all 12 homes.

“Dow Automotive is strongly committed to improving the communities where we live and work,” said George Hamilton, Dow Automotive president.  “We financially, emotionally and physically support the initiatives of Habitat for Humanity and our team is excited about this opportunity to help revitalize part of Detroit.”

“We are very pleased that Dow Automotive will be participating in the Fall Blitz Build for families in need of affordable housing,” said Rob Dewaelsche, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity Detroit. “This year’s activities partner businesses with faith-based organizations in recognition of Habitat’s mission.”

The 2006 Fall Blitz Build represents the launch of Vision 2020 Detroit – a collaborative partnership between Habitat for Humanity Detroit and U-SNAP-BAC, a well respected community development corporation which has developed more than 100 units of affordable housing in the Morningside Commons area. Vision 2020 seeks to develop local revitalization plans that focus resources on a locally identified neighborhood with the goal of eliminating substandard housing and its causes, such as unemployment, inadequate health care, transportation and other community and human services by the year 2020.

The Dow Chemical Company has been involved with Habitat for Humanity since the early 1980s as employees became interested in local affiliates and requested product donations. Since then, Dow has donated more than $15 million in Habitat sponsorship worldwide, and participated in builds during World Youth Day festivities in Toronto, the Jimmy Carter Work Project in South Africa, Mexico, Thailand and last year in Detroit.

Dow Automotive is a leading global provider of technology-driven solutions that meet consumer demand for vehicles that are safer, stronger, quieter, lighter, cleaner, comfortable and stylish. The organization provides plastics, adhesives, glass bonding systems, sealants, emissions control technology, films, fluids and structural enhancement and acoustical management solutions to OEM, tier and aftermarket customers around the world. For additional information about Dow Automotive products, services, and application development centers, visit www.dowautomotive.com.

Notes to editors:

• Dow Automotive volunteers will be on-site from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.
• Maps and photos are available from Becky Bray.
• STYROFOAM™ is a trademark of The Dow Chemical Company