Although Domingo Cruz and Nelson Ruiz come from very different backgrounds, they both have the same simple dream - providing a safe and comfortable place for their wives and children to call home. As the walls of their Atlantic Beach duplex were raised recently, both were a little closer to reaching that dream of a better life for their families.
As part of a wall-raising ceremony, Winn-Dixie and Kellogg’s announced a donation of $60,000 - the full amount needed to build the duplex - raised through a promotion. As the first wall was lifted, a banner rolled out revealing the amount of the donation raised by Winn-Dixie customers. Each time customers purchased any two Kellogg’s, Keebler, Eggo or Kashi cereal products, Kellogg’s donated 25 cents to this Beaches Habitat for Humanity duplex.
“This is a real testament to the power of neighbors helping neighbors, said Judy Holland, neighborhood marketing director for Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. “We are so proud of our associates and shoppers who helped contribute to these homes. We’re honored to be a part of this special project that will forever change the lives of these two families.”
Following the ceremony, representatives from Beaches Habitat, Winn-Dixie and Kellogg’s came together, along with community leaders, volunteers and the two recipient families, to participate in the morning’s work of building and framing the home.
“We are thrilled to have reached the $60,000 mark for these families’ new homes,” said Lorrie Brocato, account manager for Kellogg’s Snacks”. Now that we’ve reached our financial goal, we can get in and get our hands dirty by helping with construction and bringing the families closer to moving into their new home.
“The support we’ve received from Kellogg’s, Winn-Dixie and the community has made a tremendous impact in the lives of these two families,” said Ralph Marcello, executive director for Beaches Habitat for Humanity. “It’s hard to put into words what it means for both Habitat and the Ruiz-Ramirez and Cruz-Fontanez families. Thanks to all our partners, so many of these families’ everyday struggles will be made just a little bit easier.”
Beaches Habitat is an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, a non-profit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry that seeks to eliminate sub-standard housing worldwide. The organization depends on the support of individuals, corporate sponsorships, churches and donations. By year-end 2005, Beaches Habitat will have built 123 homes in Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach and Atlantic Beach since its formation in the spring of 1991.