COSTA MESA, Calif., March 1, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Pella Corporation, a recognized leader in innovation and technology for doors and windows, donated and installed Architect Series(r) windows with HurricaneShield(r) impact-resistant glass in the Women's Shelter at the historic New Orleans Rescue Mission. The Mission, which suffered severe damage in Hurricane Katrina, is currently undergoing a renovation by HomeAid, the country's leading non-profit developer of transitional housing, in partnership with Ameriquest Mortgage Company and its affiliates. The 4,000-square-foot Women's Shelter, located one-quarter mile southeast of the Louisiana Superdome at 1130 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd, is set to re-open today in time to mark the six-month anniversary of the devastating hurricane and will house single women who were evacuated from their homes in the storm's aftermath.
Pella donated its premium windows, which utilize glass with a rigid layer of laminate material heat-sealed between two layers of glass. One type of laminate material featured in Pella's HurricaneShield products provides 100 times the rigidity and five times the tear resistance of other commonly used laminate materials. Known for its leadership in technology and innovation, Pella was the first window and door manufacturer to incorporate this technology by DuPont(tm).
"We are pleased to donate Pella windows to help provide temporary shelter and protect New Orleans residents from future storms," said Kathy Krafka-Harkema, a spokesperson for Pella Corporation. "We thank HomeAid for its efforts in providing housing for the homeless and are pleased to help home owners rebuild their lives after the devastation of the 2006 hurricane season."
HomeAid and Ameriquest announced plans to rebuild the Rescue Mission as part of the Gulf Coast Rebuilding Fund, which the two organizations jointly established in September to respond to the housing crisis resulting from hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The Rescue Mission, which sits on a three-acre site featuring multiple buildings to house women and families, will be HomeAid's first completed Gulf Coast rebuilding project, with five others currently planned or under construction. These projects, funded by a $3 million donation from Ameriquest Mortgage and its affiliates, will house individuals and families for six months to a year while they go through the difficult process of rebuilding their lives.
Other companies that have joined the Gulf Coast rebuilding effort include Shea Homes, Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., MBK Homes, Georgia-Pacific Corporation, Taylor Woodrow Homes, Crestwood Communities, Homestore.com, James Hardie, Suncoast Post-Tension, Goodman Manufacturing, David Weekley Homes, Tilson Home Corporation, Doyle Stuckey Homes, Green Mountain Homes, Bassenian/Lagoni Architects, Masco Foundation, CalPASC and OC Foundation.
"The devastation caused by hurricanes Katrina and Rita is overwhelming. If not for the generous support of companies like Pella and Ameriquest, in addition to many other HomeAid partners, we would not be able to rebuild the housing that is so desperately needed for evacuees," said Genette Eaton, chief executive officer of HomeAid.
For more information or to make a donation to HomeAid's Gulf Coast Rebuilding Fund, visit www.homeaid.org. Contributions can also be sent to HomeAid Gulf Coast Rebuilding Fund, 3919 Westerly Place, Suite 200, Newport Beach, CA 92660.
About Pella
Celebrating 80 years in business, Pella Corporation is recognized in the window and door industry for its technology and innovation, having earned more than 100 product and design patents. In addition to windows and patio doors, the company also manufactures entry door systems with the same level of quality and technology for which Pella is known worldwide. The company is represented by a direct sales network operating Pella(r) Window & Door Stores nationwide, and select building materials retailers, including Lowe's, which features the Pella Design Center, a "store-within-a-store," designed to take the complexity out of window and door purchases. For more information, call 888-84-PELLA or visit www.pella.com.
About HomeAid
HomeAid is the nation's largest builder of housing for the temporary homeless and has helped more than 60,000 men, women and children. With the mission of building dignified housing where homeless families and individuals can rebuild their lives, HomeAid has locations in 17 markets within 11 states, has completed 117 housing projects nationwide with another 55 projects currently in development, and manages a combined finance/construction assets exceeding $111 million. HomeAid was established in 1989 as a non-profit organization by the Building Industry Association of Southern California, an affiliate of the National Association of Home Builders. For more information call 949-258-0850 or visit www.homeaid.org.
The HomeAid logo is available at: http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=2388