Funds from the Cellcom Green Bay Marathon Support Construction of Habitat for Humanity’s 120th Home
The Cellcom Green Bay Marathon allows thousands of people to achieve goals every year on race day, but its mission aims to make an impact far beyond that through the donation of its proceeds each year to local non-profits. The Greater Green Bay Habitat for Humanity signed on as the charity partner in 2018 and the funds raised over their first two seasons are now supporting construction of an affordable home for a local family.
Construction of Habitat for Humanity’s 120th home began in October of 2019. Located on Green Bay’s east side, the home will be purchased by the Jimenez family. Andres and Shaleen have six children and currently reside in a 3-bedroom trailer impacted by mold and water damage. The opportunity to purchase a safe and healthy home for their family is a dream come true.
“We have always dreamed of providing a bigger, more spacious home for our children. We knew that the day would come and God would provide the opportunity. We are very grateful to be part of the Habitat for Humanity family now,” said Andres Jimenez.
Habitat for Humanity’s homeownership program helps low to moderate income individuals or families in Brown County pursue homeownership. The need for decent and affordable housing is widespread in this area and housing instability including frequent moves, overcrowding, and the threat of eviction, compromises health and well-being. Habitat programs help to stop this stressful cycle and make a positive change for families in the community. Habitat does not give houses away, rather families must complete a designated number of hours helping to build their home, pay a down payment and make monthly mortgage payments.
“When an individual or family qualifies to purchase a home through our home ownership program they are placed on a path of new opportunity, increased confidence and self-reliance. A person’s partnership with Habitat means they have a stable place to live. An affordable mortgage means they have a chance to create savings and invest in education,” said Cora Haltaufderheid, executive director of Greater Green Bay Habitat for Humanity. “Partnering with the Cellcom Green Bay Marathon is not only helping empower a family but improving our community.”
While families benefit from decent, affordable housing, the community benefits from the redevelopment of neighborhoods and an increase in tax revenue. Homes are made affordable through volunteer labor used during construction and the 0% interest mortgage provided by Habitat.
“Making a lasting impact on our community is critical to the mission of the Cellcom Green Bay Marathon. By choosing to run our events, participants can take pride in not only achieving their goals on race day, but furthering the efforts of local non-profits,” said Alissa Cotter, co-race director for the Cellcom Green Bay Marathon.
Funds from the 2020 Cellcom Green Bay Marathon will benefit Greater Green Bay Habitat for Humanity and the Greater Green Bay YMCA Full Circle Program, a recreational program for children on the autism spectrum. Runners can further the charitable impact of the event by pledging to Run for a Reason. This program allows runners to create a fundraising page and participants who raise more than $300 receive a free entry into the event of their choice.
For more information and to register visit the registration page.