As the wood-frame walls were raised by volunteers more than 18 weeks ago at a construction site on Shangri La Drive, in Atlantic Beach, Fla., Susan Pastrana's dreams of a better life for her family were one step closer to reality. Today, she was presented with keys to her newly completed home.
Adding to the excitement for Pastrana's children was the surprise appearance of Jerome Bettis. The retired NFL running back turned broadcaster was a special guest of Kellogg, whose partnership with Winn-Dixie (NASDAQ:WINN) and Beaches Habitat for Humanity funded the homebuilding project. Representatives from Winn-Dixie, Kellogg, Beaches Habitat for Humanity, as well as community leaders and volunteers also were on hand as the two-story home was dedicated.
Pastrana's home is the 10th Habitat house constructed by Winn-Dixie and Kellogg in the past three years. Members of the Cruz-Fontanez family, who live in the first Habitat house built by the partnership in 2005, helped present the Pastrana family with keys to their new home.
"We are excited to be a part of the Pastranas' lives in such an important way," said Dan Portnoy chief merchandising and marketing officer for Winn-Dixie. "Winn-Dixie, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity and Kellogg has now built 10 homes for deserving families and we look forward to starting the next project soon. Together, we continue getting better for the communities we serve - one house, one family, one neighborhood at a time."
At the wall raising in April, Winn-Dixie and Kellogg announced a sales promotion had raised $40,000 "” the amount needed to build the home. Each time Winn-Dixie customers purchased two of any type of Kellogg, Keebler, Eggo, Kashi, Sunshine or Murray products, during a set promotional period Kellogg donated 25 cents to the building of the Habitat home.
"Giving back to the communities where we do business is important to Kellogg and Winn-Dixie," said George Ball, executive vice president and chief customer officer for Kellogg. "Customers made it possible for us to help their fellow neighbors, and they should be proud of their contributions."
"We appreciate the volunteers who worked so hard to build this home in only 18 weeks," said Ralph Marcello, executive director of Beaches Habitat for Humanity. "Thanks to Winn-Dixie, its customers and Kellogg, hard-working families are attaining the American Dream of owning their own home."
Pastrana, who is the cafeteria manager at Joseph Finegan Elementary School, completed 300 service hours with Habitat, helping others to realize their dream of home ownership. As a single mother, working on building her own home also means making a better life for her twin 13-year-old sons Carlos and Juan, and her 11-year-old daughter, Kashla.
About Winn-Dixie
Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc., is one of the nation's largest food retailers. Founded in 1925, the Company is headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla. The Company currently operates 521 retail grocery locations, including more than 400 in-store pharmacies, in Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia and Mississippi. For more information, please visit www.winn-dixie.com.
About The Kellogg Company
The Kellogg Company (NYSE:K) is the world's leading producer of cereal and a leading producer of convenience foods, including cookies, crackers, toaster pastries, cereal bars, frozen waffles, meat alternatives, pie crusts and ice cream cones. The company's brands include Kellogg's, Keebler,Pop-Tarts, Eggo, Cheez-It, Nutri-Grain, Rice Krispies, Murray, Austin, Morningstar Farms, Famous Amos, Carr's, Plantation, Ready Crust and Kashi. Kellogg products are manufactured in 17 countries and marketed in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information, visit the Kellogg website at www.kelloggcompany.com.
Beaches Habitat for Humanity was founded in 1992 by a small group of volunteers committed to eliminating substandard and overcrowded housing in the Jacksonville Beaches area. To date, 172 homes in the Beaches area have been completed. Beaches Habitat is multifaceted and builds new homes for families and provides education assistance to homeowners and their children.