One new house built – from start to finish – every day.
That’s the ambitious goal set by Detroit’s Habitat for Humanity for the charity’s annual “blitz build,” a weeklong event that sees thousands of construction workers, faith leaders, community activists and everyday citizens roll up their sleeves, grab tools and raise roofs throughout the city.
Members of Detroit Local 58 played a key role in last summer’s blitz build, where they helped wire and power up seven new homes in the eastern part of the city.
For their efforts, IBEW brothers and sisters received the group’s Community Partner of the Year award at a gala event in downtown Detroit on Feb. 21.
Local 58 Business Manager Michael Richard called the honor “a source of great pride.”
“I can’t think of a better or more deserving group than our men and women who go out there year after year and do this great work,” he said.
Detroit’s union electricians have helped build over 100 Habitat homes in southeastern Michigan over the last 15 years.
“IBEW Local 58 has been with us for a number of years now, and I can’t tell you how important that is,” said Vincent Tilford, executive director of Habitat Detroit. “We’re very grateful for their help and resources.”
Watch Local 58 members in action:
Learn more about Habitat For Humanity’s projects in the city at www.habitatdetroit.org.