[MCN] Press Release

Tue Aug 14 10:15:26 EDT 2018

For Immediate Release

Missoula Nonprofit is the only Montana organization among 200 national
groups vying for a $25,000 grant from State Farm

State Farm Neighborhood Assist is a program that awards $25,000 grants to 40
charitable causes across the country. The application process for the
Neighborhood Assist program is lengthy and competitive, with State Farm
dwindling down 2,000 applications to 200. But in the end, the public votes
to select 40 causes out of the 200 to each receive a $25,000 grant. This
year, Habitat for Humanity of Missoula (HfHM) applied for the Neighborhood
Assist program and after beating out 1,800 other applicants, Habitat is now
the only applicant from Montana to be competing for a winning top 40 spot
and $25,000. But now it is up to all of us to come together and vote for
HfHM to ensure that $25,000 is put into the Missoula community and used for
local Montanan families.

"As all of us know, whether we are fundraising or donating funds to a
non-profit in Montana, the constant requests and effort remains challenging,
and includes a huge output of human capital to raise what is needed.  Even
though Missoula is extremely generous, this opportunity brings national
dollars into our community and will have a big impact on our ability to get
our mission accomplished," states Noreen Humes, HFHM Executive Director.  

Each year, Habitat for Humanity of Missoula partners with eligible Missoula
families to provide safe, decent, and affordable homes for those living in
substandard housing. To make homeownership a reality for Missoulians living
in poverty, we sell our homes to eligible families at cost with no interest
or profit, allowing us to provide affordable housing while also educating
our community about poverty housing and the Habitat solution. By providing
low income Missoulian families with safe and affordable housing, we see the
cycle of poverty being broken, an increase in the safety and happiness of
low income children and adults, and an overall improvement in the appearance
and value of Missoula's neighborhoods. The work that HfHM does therefore not
only changes the lives of each family we partner with, it also makes
Missoula a stronger, safer, and more prosperous community for all. 

Every year, the State Farm Neighborhood Assist program benefits educational,
safety, and community development causes across the US. Winning this
generous $25,000 State Farm grant is going to be a challenge, but HfHM knows
that if anyone can do it, Montanans can. The only way for HfHM to win is for
the public to go online and vote. Voting opens August 15.  People can help
us by sharing the event from our Facebook page at
<https://www.facebook.com/events/219884122041740>
https://www.facebook.com/events/219884122041740 and vote at this link
<https://www.neighborhoodassist.com/entry/2011284>
https://www.neighborhoodassist.com/entry/2011284. If you are a US resident
and 18 or older you can vote for Habitat up to 10 times a day each day
through Friday, Aug. 24. While HfHM needs votes, they also need the Big Sky
to spread the word. To win, HfHM asks for voters to share the competition
and voting link on social media and by emailing family, friends, and
coworkers. The voting period lasts only ten days, but HfHM knows that ten
days is enough time for Montanans and their out of state friends to vote to
bring national money into the Missoula community. 

"This is an amazing opportunity for Habitat for Humanity of Missoula to
maximize our outreach and funding in order to continue to build affordable
homes in Missoula," states Kelin Johnson, HFHM Board President. "We cannot
be more thrilled to be a part of this National competition and we are hoping
the entire community and state of Montana will come together and rally
behind us to make this happen."

For more information:

Noreen Humes, Habitat Executive Director or main office, 406-549-8210,
Noreen at habitatmsla.org <mailto:Noreen at habitatmsla.org> 

& Brodie Hurtado, State Farm Public Affairs Specialist for more information
about the State Farm competition itself. 480-293-6092,
<mailto:Brodie.Hurtado.exl5 at StateFarm.com> Brodie.Hurtado.exl5 at StateFarm.com

Visit our ReStore in East Missoula!

"A home transcends being just a shelter.  It represents the opportunity to
unleash potential."

--Rajashree Birla

Noreen Humes

Executive Director

Habitat for Humanity of Missoula

P.O. Box 7181 (59807)

3655 Highway 200 East

Missoula, MT  59802

(406) 549-8210

www.habitatmsla.org <http://www.habitatmsla.org> 

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