Archived News

8/1/2000 - Armstrong Foundation Helps to Bring Homeownership to Philadelphia Family

Go to Photos of this Project!

PHILADELPHIA - This morning 18 employees from Armstrong World Industries, a Lancaster based manufacturer of floor and ceiling tiles, loaded into a van before dawn bound for West Philadelphia. Their mission- to join with delegates to the Republican National Convention and help renovate a house in an economically depressed section of the Cathedral Park neighborhood, the site of a major Habitat for Humanity revitalization project.

In addition to volunteer manpower, The Armstrong Foundation has donated $50,000 to Habitat for Humanity to complete the renovation of the row house, which is scheduled for completion in November.

The Habitat for Humanity West Philadelphia project targeted homes in the 4900 block of Stiles Street for renovation. To date, 24 homes have been completed and seven remain under renovation. Armstrong's contribution will be used to complete work on one of the remaining homes on Stiles Street and will be named, "Armstrong House". Armstrong hopes to shed light on the critical need for affordable housing in urban areas during convention week.

The Armstrong Foundation gift was the result of a partnership with the Good Neighbor Partnership Fund, sponsored by US Senator Rick Santorum and US Congressman J.C. Watts (R-OK), who created the fund to benefit non-profit organizations serving women and children in the Greater Philadelphia Region during a time when the nation's eyes will be focused on the city of brotherly love.

"We are most appreciative of this generous donation from Armstrong World Industries," said Sheldon Rich, executive director of Habitat for Humanity West Philadelphia. "It's significant that Armstrong employees would take the day off to help build a home. I think it shows that the company is committed far beyond just providing financial because ultimately, this project is not just about building homes but building a community."