Dow Chemical partnership with Habitat for Humanity is 'a dream come true'

It was a dream come true and a goal realized as volunteers put the finishing touches on a Habitat for Humanity build that marks the 50,000th home built with help from The Dow Chemical Co.

Volunteers wearing bright red shirts gathered at the build site in Freeland on Wednesday, Aug. 24, to hear from officials from Dow and the Saginaw-Shiawassee Habitat for Humanity. The 1,200-square-foot home off Kochville Road is being built for Doug Anderson and Sue Knuth, Saginaw residents who stopped by to see the team’s progress.

“It’s a dream come true,” Anderson said.

He and Knuth had applied about three years ago for a Habitat home, and are looking forward to moving in and spending the holidays in their new home. Knuth is in a wheelchair, and Anderson wheeled her into the house to witness the transformative power of volunteerism.

“It’s wonderful,” Knuth said.

She is also excited to have a washer and dryer that doesn’t require quarters, while Anderson is happy to soon move out of their apartment and into a larger neighborhood.

“Now we’re going home,” Anderson said with a smile. “The dream is really coming alive.”

Cameron Brady, executive director of the Saginaw-Shiawassee Habitat for Humanity, took the team through some safety tips and reminded volunteers there is always work to be done in their community.

“If you can't get enough of this, no problem,” Brady said, adding there is a multitude of rehabilitation and rebuild projects throughout the year that are led by Habitat.

On hand to talk about the Dow products being used in the build was Tim Lacey, global business director of Dow’s Building Solutions. From the bright blue Styrofoam that will insulate the house to sill pans that will keep drafts from entering doors and windows, the Habitat home will have technology to make it energy-efficient for the new homeowners.

Dow doesn’t just help build these homes in the United States; Lacey said the 50,000 houses over 34 years have gone up across a variety of continents where Dow has facilities and workers willing to dedicate their time.

“That’s the fun part,” Lacey said. “Retirees and employees giving their time and making a difference. Every zero is a person or a family.”

Another key part of this project is the people who will move into it, Lacey said, one of whom is a former military service member.

“What a great way to say thank you for their service,” Lacey said. “It really is a year of milestones.”

Rob Vallentine is executive director of The Dow Chemical Company Foundation and agreed with Lacey’s statements. He said he is proud to help out and witness Dow’s 50,000th Habitat home, and attributes it to the company’s culture of giving.

“I just think that’s amazing, and it encourages people to get out and volunteer,” Vallentine said.