Pledge to Donate 100% of the Building Materials for Freeport Home
In a year that we’ve focused much of our giving back efforts on housing, we’re excited to announce Team Hancock has pledged to donate 100% of the building materials for a Habitat for Humanity of Greater Portland’s home in Freeport. In addition to three new homes being built in Freeport, the chapter has closed on a subdivision in South Portland where they will be building eight homes over the next two years. Hancock Lumber’s building materials pledge will help a family who will be moving in next spring. Nick, Ashlee and their two children have started their sweat equity and we look forward to seeing the project progress!
“Hancock Lumber is proud to be a long-standing supporter of Habitat for Humanity. In a year where we’ve focused our giving back efforts heavily on housing, we’re thrilled about this commitment to the Greater Portland chapter and being able to donate 100% of the building materials for a new house.”
– Erin Plummer, Chief Marketing Officer
Habitat’s homeownership program partners with low-income families to achieve affordable homeownership. In order to qualify for the program, families must be able to pay a low-interest mortgage, have a need for affordable housing, and be willing to partner with Habitat in this months-long journey to homeownership. This donation from Hancock will cover building materials like lumber, windows and doors, trim, and insulation, amounting to a substantial financial savings for Habitat.
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Portland builds and repairs homes for low-income homeowners across Cumberland County. Since 1984, the organization has built 93 homes and is currently building in Freeport and South Portland. Launched in late 2019, the Critical Home Repair program has provided 68 affordable home repairs to low-income families to make their homes warmer, safer, and drier.
“Hancock has been a very generous supporter of Habitat. As lumber prices fluctuate, we’re incredibly grateful that they are recommitting themselves to our mission of affordable housing by donating the materials for an entire house.”
TARA HILL, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Portland Executive Director
Our company has a longstanding history supporting Habitat for Humanity of Greater Portland. After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Hancock worked with Habitat to send panelized home components to those who lost their houses. In 2018 Kevin Hancock, company CEO, received the Spirit of Humanity Award at the annual Raise the Roof Gala. This award honored Kevin for his enduring commitment to the lives and homes of Mainers. In 2021, the York Chapter presented Hancock Lumber with the Miles Freeman Business Award for Service.
Our team also offers a discount to help Habitat purchase materials for their other projects. In 2020, our Saco location teamed up with Habitat for Humanity York County to donate a complete house for a project a few miles from their location. On the midcoast, our locations have contributed in various ways to Habitat for Humanity / 7 Rivers Maine.
A Road to Homeownership: Meet the Habitat Family
Nick and Ashlee were renting a house, but after Nick got hurt at work, they couldn’t afford the heating oil and rent. Their family of four was left to survive on Ashlee’s salary as a pharmacy tech. Sometimes, on winter nights, their house was so cold they had to send their kids to stay with his parents. They knew they had to move.
Rental options nearby were too expensive, so they moved into Nick’s parent’s basement in Poland. Though they use the small space resourcefully, the two-bedroom basement is far from ideal. Issues with the well mean they sometimes can’t bathe or do laundry at home. They don’t even have a kitchen – just a small counter in the living area. Nick’s cousin had volunteered for Habitat, so when they got a flyer for the new homebuyer orientation, it felt like fate, especially because Freeport has always been special to Nick and Ashlee. They had their first date there. They even got engaged there. And they still visit often with the kids. When they received the news that they had been selected for the third Freeport home, they knew it was the break they had been waiting for!