ATLANTA, Oct. 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The James M. Cox Foundation announced today a $250,000 grant to Atlanta Habitat for Humanity. The grant will support Atlanta Habitat's $12 million "It Starts at Home" capital campaign to fund the purchase and renovation of a new, environmentally sustainable headquarters building. The gift will also support the construction of a new, expanded ReStore.  

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131007/CL93311 )

Atlanta Habitat's ReStore sells reusable and surplus building materials and home improvement products to the public, providing an environmentally and socially responsible way to keep reusable materials out of the waste stream. The net proceeds help Atlanta Habitat fund the construction of affordable, energy-efficient homes.

"Atlanta Habitat has built more than 1,250 homes. With this gift, we can help them establish one of their own," said Jim Kennedy, chairman of Cox Enterprises. "This capital campaign will greatly enhance and expand their resources to better serve Atlanta families by creating more space for administrative, education, volunteer and homeowner support."

Atlanta Habitat will move from its current leased space into the new five acre property located near the Atlanta Beltline in Reynoldstown by the end of 2014. Homeowner education will increase with the expansion from one to five classrooms.

"We at Atlanta Habitat are thrilled with the generous gift from The James M. Cox Foundation," said Larrie Del Martin, president and CEO of Atlanta Habitat. "Having partnered with us for many years, they truly understand the value of changing lives through affordable homeownership."

Atlanta Habitat has raised more than $11 million toward their campaign goal.

In addition to the gift from The James M. Cox Foundation, Cox Enterprises is a long-time supporter of local Habitat for Humanity affiliates. In Atlanta alone, Cox employees have donated more than 30,000 volunteer hours to build 17 Habitat houses.

Multimedia:

• Photos
  • Caption: Clark Howard presents $250,000 on behalf of James M. Cox Foundation to Larrie Del Martin, president and CEO of Atlanta Habitat.
  • Credit: D'ontreye Nero
• Video

About The James M. Cox Foundation

The James M. Cox Foundation is named in honor of Cox Enterprises' founder and provides funding for capital campaigns and special projects in communities where the company operates. James M. Cox was Ohio's first three-term governor and the 1920 Democratic nominee for president of the United States. 

The Foundation concentrates its community support in several areas, including: conservation and environment; early childhood education; empowering families and individuals for success; and health.

SOURCE The James M. Cox Foundation