Habitat For Humanity

Seventy-five OxyChem volunteers participated in an ambitious eight-day homebuilding spree for the Habitat for Humanity “Homes for Houston” project in partnership with the Vinyl Institute in April and May, 2006. Employees from OxyVinyls’ Houston operations worked as carpenters, roofers, framers, painters and landscapers to make a home a reality for a deserving local family. The project concluded with a ceremonial dedication of the home built by OxyChem employees for local residents Mr. and Mrs. Achour Amari and their three young children, who were delighted to accept the keys of their new home.

“We were so surprised! We are very happy!” exclaimed Achour Amari. “We have little babies and only I work. A mortgage is too tough for us and now I will have a home to raise my children in. We have suffered and now hope is on the way. I thank all of you for what you are doing.”

OxyChem President Chuck Anderson participated, pounding nails alongside other OxyChem employees. Houston’s Habitat project leaders acknowledged his exemplary leadership as the fi rst major company president to be personally involved in an area Habitat project.

Many of the OxyChem volunteers worked in group shifts, working one to four days at a time, lending their expertise at each phase of the construction. “Often, people feel like they do not have the time for a project of this magnitude,” said Chris Corwin, Oxy Human Resources Manager and the project’s volunteer coordinator. “Then they get involved, see the house form and realize the signifi cant impact their involvement had in helping a less fortunate family. It is a very rewarding feeling.”

“One of the tenets of Habitat for Humanity is to build homes that are not only affordable, but are high quality and energy effi cient. Vinyl building products help achieve that goal and are part of every Habitat for Humanity home we build,” said Houston Habitat for Humanity President and CEO Laurence J. Payne. The finished house featured several vinyl products donated by OxyChem customers, including vinyl siding, windows, doors, fl ooring and PVC pipe. Vinyl products are lighter than wood or metal, they transport easily and are more durable than other traditional building materials.

Later in 2006, building upon the OxyChem experience, other Houston-based Oxy Oil and Gas and Energy Marketing employees assisted the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity with a weekend “wall build.” The dedicated Oxy team built 18 walls in record time for a house slated to be constructed in mid 2007.