ATLANTA, Nov. 7, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- More than 60 Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL) employees and two customers are trading their laptops and cell phones for hammers and saws during a "voluntourism" trip to Chile Nov. 7-14, 2008. The team will construct 12 homes during a Habitat for Humanity project in Casablanca, located 43 miles west of Santiago, Chile's capital.
The trip is made possible by Delta's Force for Global Good through which Delta customers, community partners and employees, including new colleagues from Northwest Airlines, work together to effect positive local and global change. For some, the trip to Chile will be their second or third Delta/Habitat for Humanity build.
"Our partnership with Habitat for Humanity makes a difference in and around destinations we serve, creating a positive and direct impact on the development of communities that have welcomed us into their country," said Edward H. Bastian, president of Delta and president and CEO for Northwest. "It is amazing to see teams from all over the United States and Chile come together to build homes, improving people's lives and enriching our own through the spirit of giving."
Delta has been involved in similar projects in South Africa, Ghana and India. Within the United States, Delta's Force for Global Good volunteers also have built houses in New York, Mississippi and Georgia.
Since 2002, Habitat for Humanity Chile has trained and organized more than 100 national and international teams to build homes in partnership with 3,500 families in five regions of the country through its "Building Houses Without Limits" program. Habitat for Humanity Chile also works with mothers who are heads of household to provide them workshops that cover topics such as home economics and small business administration.
"The generous participation of national and international volunteers is the key for what we do, which goes beyond building homes," said Yolanda Rojas, program director of Habitat for Humanity Chile. "We appreciate Delta's enthusiastic contributions in helping us improve the living conditions of families in Casablanca."
Delta volunteers will be joined by Thomas Harley of Pompano Beach, Fla., a Delta SkyMiles(r) member who bid 261,000 miles in an online auction to win the voluntourism package. The miles will be donated to Habitat for Humanity and will add to the more than 8 million frequent flyer miles that have been donated through Delta and Northwest in recent years. Harley invited friend Bryan Tanori to accompany him on the trip and participate on the build.
Delta and Habitat launched their partnership in 2006 when the airline unveiled the first 767-300 featuring a unique Habitat for Humanity livery and a Delta Force for Global Good decal. Habitat has been an AirCares(r) partner with Northwest since 1996. The Northwest Airlines AirCares charitable support program provides financial and travel support to help charitable organizations around the world achieve their goals.
Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian ministry that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built nearly 300,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 1.5 million people. For more information, visit www.habitat.org.
Delta Air Lines is the world's largest airline. From its hubs in Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, Memphis, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York-JFK, Salt Lake City and Tokyo-Narita, Delta, its NWA subsidiary and Delta Connection carriers offer service to more than 376 destinations worldwide in 66 countries and serve more than 170 million passengers each year. Delta's marketing alliances allow customers to earn and redeem either SkyMiles or WorldPerks on more than 16,000 daily flights offered by SkyTeam and other partners. Delta and its 75,000 worldwide employees are reshaping the aviation industry as the only U.S. airline to offer a full global network. Customers can check in for flights, print boarding passes, check bags and flight status at delta.com.
The Delta and Habitat for Humanity logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=5587