What:     Phi Beta Sigma fraternity will donate $85,000 to New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity (NOAHH) to make the dream of home ownership one that is attainable for all low-income families.
 

Who:       Paul L. Griffin, Jr., International President of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.,      Alden McDonald, President of Liberty Bank & Trust and Phi Beta Sigma Member       Ellis Marsalis, Jr., Jazz Musician, Preston Edwards, Founder, Black Collegiate Magazine and Phi Beta Sigma Member Warren Riley, Superintendent, New Orleans Police Department and Phi Beta Sigma Member,  Members of the International Board of the Fraternity, the Gulf Coast Region and local University Fraternity Chapter Members from Dillard, SUNO, and Xavier,  Chimene G. Connor, NOAHH Board Member, NOAHH Volunteers and Staff
 
When:     Saturday, March 21, 2009 at 10:00 a.m.
 
Where:   4000 N. Roman Street in Musicians' Village (N. Roman Street between Bartholomew Street and Mazant Street)
 
March 19, 2009 (NEW ORLEANS, LA)  - On Saturday, March 21, 2009, Phi Beta Sigma will present a check for $85,000 to build a new home in partnership with New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity (NOAHH) during their 2009 International Convention. 

"Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity had scheduled its 2009 Convention to be held in Washington,DC.," stated Paul L. Griffin, Jr., International President of Phi Beta Sigma and New Orleans native.  "However, after learning of an appeal from Susan Taylor, former Editor of Essence Magazine, who had appealed to organizations to consider holding major meetings in the city of New Orleans, we agreed to move our International Convention to New Orleans.  We decided to come to New Orleans to make a positive financial impact on the local economy after Hurricane Katrina devastated the city."

The funds presented by Phi Beta Sigma will go to pay for the land, building materials and sub-contractors for a new New Orleans Habitat home which will begin construction in July during the International Convention.  Members will have the opportunity to work side by side with the family who will be purchasing the home.

  
"Phi Beta Sigma's support of our building efforts is outstanding," stated Jim Pate, executive director of New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity.  "We are looking forward to working with the members who have truly made this a community event."
           

The funds to build the house were provided by fraternity members worldwide and are still being accepted from those registering to attend the Phi Beta Sigma International Convention during July at the New Orleans Sheraton Hotel.
Phi Beta Sigma selected New Orleans Habitat for Humanity because the missions of both organizations are so similar.  "Since our founding in 1914, our motto 'Culture for Service and Service for Humanity' is what every member believes in and commits himself to in order to achieve the fraternity's noble goals," added Griffin.  "Our members will leave New Orleans on July 12, 2009, knowing we made a significant impact upon the lives of the family members who will occupy the home."

The Phi Beta Sigma house will be assigned to an address in July and should be completed in October. 

New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity, an independent affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization.  NOAHH builds new houses in partnership with sponsors, volunteers, communities, and homeowner families to eliminate poverty housing in the New Orleans area while serving as a catalyst to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action.  Since its inception in 1983 NOAHH has built over 240 new homes for low-income families in need of adequate shelter. NOAHH plans to continue to build homes in Orleans, Jefferson, St. Bernard, St. Charles and Plaquemines Parishes.  www.habitat-nola.org