Carrier supports Habitat for Humanity

By WILL STEWART / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

On hand for Carrier’s $35,000 donation are, from left, Father Jim Bretl, Steve Koebel, Woody Woodiel, Teresa White, Habitat president Randy Garrison, Carrier plant manger Dave McCarthy, Richard Greenwood and David Gann.

Habitat for Humanity of Warren County received its largest contribution to date yesterday as Carrier Corporation donated $35,000 to the local organization.

“If not for United Technologies-Carrier we couldn’t do the things we do,” said local Habitat for Humanity president Randy Garrison. “They’ve been donating to us for the past three years and for the past three years they’ve been our biggest contributors.”

Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit, non-denominational Christian organization which provides simple, yet adequate housing for those in need of shelter. Since its founding in 1976 it has built more than 100,000 houses in more than 80 countries, including some 30,000 here in the United States.

Garrison said the amount of Carrier’s donation, $35,000, is almost the exact amount needed to build a single house for a needy family. This year’s Carrier donation will go toward building future houses, he said.

Carrier plant manager Dave McCarthy said his company is happy to be able to contribute to the betterment of individuals and the communities where Carrier employees live. “This is part of our sustaining commitment to support and help those people who are in incredible need of assistance,” he said.

It is because of such generous contributors, Garrison said, that Habitat for Humanity of Warren County is among the more fortunate chapters in the country. “We are very blessed that we have companies like Carrier that help us out so much. Many Habitat groups have to spend a lot of time worrying about raising funds, but thanks to Carrier and others like them we can worry more about building houses and finding families that need our services,” he said.

This year’s Habitat house was completed this week and will be dedicated tomorrow. The house is a four bedroom, 1,350 square feet residence which will house a family of six. It took 10 weeks to construct and involved hundreds of volunteers from local churches, civic clubs, industries and the like.

The house is located at 102 Estridge Street. An open house will be held at 9 a.m. tomorrow with dedication ceremonies following at 10 a.m. The public is invited to attend.