HUGHESVILLE, Md. (January 24, 2011) — Employees of Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO) recently donated more than $10,000 to the two Habitat for Humanity affiliates in Southern Maryland. The Patuxent Habitat for Humanity serving Calvert and St. Mary's counties received more than $6,600 and the Habitat for Humanity in Charles County received more than $3,300. The money will aid the groups' mission of building affordable homes for working families in the region.
SMECO employees raised the money through the 2010 Charity Golf Tournament, supported by a group of volunteers and by the SMECO executive team. Each year, the Co-op selects a different charity to benefit from employee contributions. This year's charities were the local Habitat for Humanity affiliates.
The Habitat for Humanity affiliates build and renovate houses in partnership with volunteers and families in need. Local businesses and individuals act as sponsors to provide funding and volunteers for specific home projects. Selected families purchase the homes through no-interest loans, with the mortgage payments supporting the construction of more homes. Each of the Southern Maryland affiliates operates two ReStores.
Dan Doherty, President of Patuxent Habitat for Humanity, said, "SMECO has been a long-term supporter of our home building program through the responsiveness of its management and the rapid and effective response of the installation teams that hook us up to the grid. This donation from SMECO will be applied to building a home in 2011 when our goal is to build three and possibly four new homes."
Jim Crawford, Director of Habitat ReStore Operations for Habitat for Humanity in Charles County, said, "We are truly grateful to SMECO and their fine staff for the generous support they provide in helping Habitat build affordable homes for those in need. SMECO associates also volunteer their personal time with Habitat. Such commitment to the community says a lot about our Co-op."
Source: SMECO