Will Help Habitat for Humanity Build New Homes for Families of Hurricane Katrina in 'Home-Raising' Event on February 22-23
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UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., Feb. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- When they yell cut, the action on this Universal production gets started.
Universal Studios Hollywood employees have volunteered by the hundreds to wield saws, hammers and power tools to help Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles build two new homes for families of Hurricane Katrina.
The "home-raising" event, set for February 22-23, is sponsored by the company's "Discover A Star" philanthropy, dedicated to children's causes and homeless intervention. More than 200 Universal Studios employees from across the company have volunteered for the two-day project in support of Habitat for Humanity's Operation Home Delivery program, designed to allow volunteers across the nation to build modular homes on remote locations for shipment to families devastated by recent hurricanes.
Larry Kurzweil, President and COO, Universal Studios Hollywood, said: "A commitment to helping the community is a part of our company's core values and all of us were naturally touched by the plight of those whose homes were devastated by Hurricane Katrina. For our employees and for me, the Habitat for Humanity project offers an opportunity to put our labor and our talents to a task that will produce tangible and truly meaningful results."
Two homes -- each 1,800 sq. ft with three bedrooms and two-baths -- will be built at Universal Studios Hollywood from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on the two "home raising" days, then disassembled and transported by truck to awaiting families in the Gulf Coast region.
Universal Studios Hollywood's "Discover A Star" Foundation, founded in 1994, relies solely upon contributions from Universal Studios Hollywood employees and business associates. The Foundation has raised over $3 million and has provided financial assistance to over 33 non-profit organizations, including Covenant House, The Chase Foundation, L.A. Family Housing, Chrysalis, Providence St. Joseph, Women's Care Cottage, Children's Burn Foundation, The Help Group, Concern Foundation, Ahead with Horses, The Jeffrey Foundation, Greater West Hollywood Food Coalition, Burbank Center for the Retarded, M.E.N.D. (Meet Each Need with Dignity), Beyond Shelter, Child & Family Guidance Center, Haven House, Jewish Family Services, Caring for Children and Families with AIDS, My Friend's Place, and Upward Bound House.
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles (www.habititla.org) is a nonprofit, ecumenical housing ministry that seeks to eliminate poverty housing providing simple, decent and affordable homes for low-income families through volunteer labor and charitable donations. HFH GLA has built a total of 169 homes and plans to complete 18 additional homes by June 2006.
Universal Studios Hollywood (www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com) is a unit of Universal Parks & Resorts, a division of Universal Studios. Universal Studios is a part of NBC Universal. NBC Universal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80% owned by General Electric, with 20% controlled by Vivendi Universal.
Source: Universal Studios Hollywood
Web site: http://www.habititla.org/