On Thursday, October 24^th in Charlotte, North Carolina, a local family realized their long-awaited dream of homeownership when Stewart Gale, David Lenoir, and Robert Mac from Leviton, joined with volunteers from Shealy Electrical to build them a “Habitat for Humanity”. Over 125 area volunteers, including Waliyya Nasirudin, the homebuyer, participated in the four-day build out of the one-story home, built to meet LEED certification requirements.

Shealy Electrical held a kick-off party to celebrate the Blitz Build project the previous evening. Volunteers mingled, hammered in the first nails and met the homebuyer, a Department of Social Services retiree who eagerly anticipated the completion of her new home where she planned to spend time with her children and grandchildren.

Bright and early the next morning, the three Leviton Sales Professionals, put on their waist aprons, received their assignments and began framing out the house. Enjoying the work and the sense of being part of something very special, the reps signed on for a double shift before heading off to meetings with members of Shealy Electrical’s sales team.

Habitat for Humanity’s Blitz Build programs are accelerated home construction projects that typically take place over a four-day span. The programs are run by local Habitat Chapters throughout the country and enable low-income families to purchase homes built by corporate sponsors and local volunteers. Corporate sponsors frequently donate building products and financial contributions in addition to volunteered time.

To qualify for the Habitat homebuyer programs, applicants must establish a need for affordable housing, prove their ability to make payments on interest-free monthly mortgages and commit to contributing “sweat equity” to future projects that benefit other low-income families in the community.

“There is a tremendous sense of gratification when participating in a Habitat homebuilding campaign as you see the homeowner and the community benefit. You collaborate, interact and work with like-minded volunteers and meet the people you are helping. Giving back is a wonderful feeling,” said Stewart Gale.

Work assignments are given out in two-hour time blocks, allowing construction crews to limit their time up on the roof, take a break from lifting lumber or catch a breather before hammering in more nails. “It was great to work the double shift as we did because it gave us more time to interact with crews from Shealy, local community volunteers and the new homeowner. The strong sense of camaraderie makes the work inspiring rewarding and memorable,” said David Lenoir.

Habitat Homeowner programs require new homeowners to put in “sweat equity” as quid pro quo for the assistance they receive in acquiring their home. Once the man hours are completed, applicants are considered official homeowners and they begin making the payments on their interest-free mortgage. Habitat Charlotte’s homes are built according to LEED certification standards and use environmentally-friendly, recycled construction materials to comply with sustainable building practices.

“Seeing the faces on the family and how much they appreciated what everyone was doing for them was a very special experience,” said Robert Mac. “Working together with our partners and friends at Shealy to help the community is a rewarding experience. I look forward to working on more of these events. It is something you remember for a lifetime.”

Earlier in the month, Leviton partnered with Shealy Electrical on a similar project in South Carolina. The house was built on the grounds of the Company’s Greenville headquarters and later transported to its permanent location. Based in Greenville, South Carolina, Shealy Electrical serves customers throughout North and South Carolina and Georgia. Like Leviton, the Company supports non-profit and civic organizations through its charitable programs and community efforts, funding product donations and volunteered efforts that serve communities at the local level.

Project 1: Columbia, SC
Dates: Sept 28th to October 2nd
House constructed on the property at Shealy Electrical Corporate Headquarters

Banner in front of Shealy Corporate HQ weeks prior to event.

Kick off ceremony introducing the family getting the house.  In the photo is the family and executive mgmt of Shealy/EDI. From left to right…Brent Spear-VP, Bill Deloache-CEO, David White-President, family acquiring the house, David LeNoir

Day 1 of Columbia, SC build with foundation started, all materials stacked up and tents for food and drinks

Day 2 build in process putting up the walls…..in picture from left to right is Brian Bell-Area Sales Manager and David LeNoir-Leviton.

Project almost complete and ready to ship to location for final trim out, inspection, and move in ceremony

Project 2:  Charlotte, NC
Location: Shealy/EDI branch in Charlotte, NC
Dates:  Oct 24th to Oct 27th

Rob Mack-Leviton, Stewart Gale-Leviton, David Littlejohn-Sales VP Shealy/EDI.

Charlotte build almost done and home ready to be transported to property for final trim, inspection, and move in ceremony.