HATTIESBURG, Miss., Nov. 4, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Officials gathered on Thursday, November 3, 2011, to honor The Carpenter's Helper and the five Partnership Grant Program (PGP) awards it received through the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) and five of its member institutions - The Citizens Bank of Philadelphia, The First: A National Banking Association (The First), Grand Bank for Savings, Magnolia State Bank, and Trustmark National Bank. The grant funds total $29,200 and will assist the nonprofit organization with daily operating expenses.
A photo accompanying this release is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=10996
State Senator Joey Fillingane (R-MS), State Representative Percy W. Watson (D-MS), and John H. Brown, assistant to Hattiesburg Mayor Johnny L. DuPree, joined representatives of The Carpenter's Helper and the participating banking institutions for yesterday's ceremony and check presentation announcing the PGP awards.
"I am so excited to be a part of the formal check presentation to The Carpenter's Helper," said Senator Fillingane. "This is a great organization that helps many lower-income folks who otherwise wouldn't have a safe home. This sizeable contribution of $29,200 will make it easier for citizens in the greater Hattiesburg area to obtain safe, affordable, and quality housing, and I'm so thankful to the lending institutions involved that have made this funding possible."
Mr. Brown, assistant to Hattiesburg Mayor Johnny L. DuPree, seconded Senator Fillingane's enthusiasm, and was pleased to see such collaboration from so many community banks.
"The value of homeownership and quality housing in the city of Hattiesburg is a key component to solidifying and improving our community from the inside out," said Mr. Brown. "The city applauds The Carpenter's Helper for its efforts, along with the banking institutions that contributed to these grants. These partnerships help make Hattiesburg a better place to live for all residents."
The Carpenter's Helper was established in 2004 as a grass roots organization by a local developer after he volunteered on a mission trip to Honduras. He returned with an increased awareness of the poverty in the urban and rural areas of Mississippi, and decided to use the skills he had used in Honduras to rehabilitate the homes of local families living in very poor and dilapidated housing. In 2006, The Carpenter's Helper became an agency of the United Way of Southeast Mississippi.
Tom Smith became the executive director of The Carpenter's Helper in 2006. Since that time, The Carpenter's Helper has been fulfilling their mission statement of rehabilitating substandard housing for the elderly and disabled in the local area – one family at a time. More than 1,200 people are now living in safe, sanitary, and secure homes as a result of the work performed by The Carpenter's Helper. He said the requests his organization receives have included wheelchair ramp construction, roof repair, plumbing and electrical repair, and many other projects that would help repair the substandard housing situation. The Carpenter's Helper works with a long list of volunteer groups from throughout the area, along with local contractors that often work for discounted rates to complete more specified projects.
"Not only are we very appreciative of the funding from each of these organizations, but these grants have given us the opportunity to introduce who we are and what we do the lenders that supported us through this program," said Mr. Smith. "The PGP has allowed us to increase the community's awareness of our organization and the dire need to rehabilitate substandard housing in our own back yard. So many of the families we assist live in conditions similar to a third world country. It is truly eye-opening to see such poverty right in the middle of our communities. This partnership grant will greatly help us purchase the supplies we need to maintain our operations."
PGP grants are awarded through FHLB Dallas member institutions to assist with the operational needs of nonprofit, community-based organizations involved in affordable housing and community development. Partnership grants are based on cash contributions of $500 to $5,000 made by FHLB Dallas member institutions, which FHLB Dallas matches at a 3:1 ratio. FHLB Dallas awarded $225,000 in PGP grants this year.
"Trustmark National Bank actively utilizes FHLB Dallas grant programs," said Trustmark National Bank President Holt McMullan, "and we are very excited to support The Carpenter's Helper through the PGP this year. They are a fantastic community organization, and are working to improve the lives of Hattiesburg residents each and every day."
Jerome Brown, vice president and director of community development at The First, worked closely with Mr. Smith and introduced him to the PGP. Mr. Brown felt that The Carpenter's Helper would be a prime candidate for PGP funding.
"The Carpenter's Helper sees the needs of our community firsthand, as it relates to substandard housing and deplorable living conditions in the Hattiesburg community," said Mr. Brown. "It strives to rehabilitate and re-construct housing for these less fortunate families, which is the primary reason we chose to support them through the Partnership Grant Program. It is no secret that banks compete for customer relationships, but we realized the mission of The Carpenter's Helper and knew it was important to bring in other member banks to maximize the resources of the grant program for the greater good of our community. Today's presentation is a win-win for the Hattiesburg community."
Todd Mixon, regional president at The Citizens Bank of Philadelphia, also commented on his support of the PGP grant for The Carpenter's Helper.
"The Carpenter's Helper is one reason Hattiesburg is a great place to live – it demonstrates how people are helping other people," said Mr. Mixon. "The Citizens Bank of Philadelphia is proud to be a partner with The Carpenter's Helper and other corporate neighbors in improving the quality of life of our citizens."
Yesterday's presentation took place at the Jackie Dole Sherrill Community Center at 10:00 a.m. All five member banks presented awards to The Carpenter's Helper, along with the support of FHLB Dallas and community leaders. For more information regarding FHLB Dallas and its products and services, please visit fhlb.com.
About the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas
The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas is one of 12 district banks in the FHLBank System created by Congress in 1932. FHLB Dallas, with total assets of $31.4 billion as of September 30, 2011, is a member-owned cooperative that supports housing and community development by providing competitively priced advances and other credit products to more than 900 members and associated institutions in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, and Texas.
The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=3013
The photo is also available via AP PhotoExpress.
