Delta Air Lines Employees to Renovate Habitat for Humanity Homes in Queens Village, New York

Delta's commitment to New York is reinforced through employee volunteer efforts

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Sep 24, 2014, 10:07 ET

NEW YORK, Sept. 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) employees based in New York and across the country will partner with Habitat for Humanity New York City to renovate two single-family, affordable homes in Queens Village, NY. More than 120 Delta employees will participate in the build, which begins Sept. 24 and continues through Oct. 3.

"As we continue to invest in New York as the city's largest airline, our commitment to serving the community is strong – both by offering the most service from New York City and making a difference in the communities where we live and serve each day," said Gail Grimmett, Delta's Senior Vice President – New York. "We are proud of the homes Delta people have helped build and renovate in New York and the impact our employees have made through our partnership with Habitat for Humanity."

Delta's build will include the rehabilitation of two vacant homes that sit side by side and were built in 1935. The homes were boarded for at least 10 years before Habitat for Humanity NYC purchased them from the New York City Housing Authority for $1 each. The homes are among more than three dozen houses in Queens that Habitat NYC is scheduled to rehabilitate in the coming years.

Delta has worked on more than 80 units with Habitat for Humanity NYC since the partnership began in 2007.

"Delta's community investment in programs like Habitat for Humanity means even more livable cities for their employees, vendors and passengers," said Neil Hetherington, CEO of Habitat for Humanity NYC. "They continually aim high and hit the mark. I am excited to work alongside these community builders."

"Delta continues its longstanding commitment to our borough through partnerships with organizations like Habitat for Humanity and we see the results in our communities," said Melinda Katz, Queens Borough President. "This volunteer effort ensures low-income families in Queens will obtain safe and affordable homes while also protecting the unique character of our neighborhoods. I applaud Delta and Habitat for Humanity as they work to enhance the city we're proud to call home."

Each year in the month of September, Delta kicks off its annual Habitat for Humanity fall domestic builds to encourage employees worldwide to help build safe, decent and affordable housing with families selected by Habitat. This year, more than 2,300 Delta employees will participate in builds in Atlanta, Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York City and Seattle.

During the two-and-a-half-month long project, Delta is celebrating its 200th build with Habitat for Humanity. This milestone will be commemorated with the Seattle build, which is funded through proceeds from Delta's in-flight recycling program.

Through local and national support, Delta employees have helped build or rehab 199 Habitat homes in 11 countries around the world. Habitat is one of Delta's core community partners in its Force for Global Good, a program that encourages employees to make a difference in the communities where they live, work and serve.

About Delta
Delta Air Lines is New York City's largest and fastest-growing carrier with 485 peak-day departures to 116 destinations worldwide from its hubs at New York's LaGuardia Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport and service to more destinations from New York State than any other airline. Delta's Terminal 4 at JFK, a $1.4 billion, state-of-the-art international gateway, opened in May 2013 with a second phase extension of 11 gates expected to be completed by spring 2015. The airline is also investing more than $160 million to expand and update Terminals C and D at LaGuardia. Delta operates three updated Boeing 757 aircraft, complimenting five widebody Boeing 767 aircraft, with full flat-bed seats on the transcontinental route between New York-JFK and Los Angeles International Airport for a total of eight daily flights. All transcon flights between New York-JFK and Los Angeles and San Francisco will feature full flat-bed seats by summer 2015. The unique Delta Shuttle product offers hourly service to Boston, Chicago (O'Hare) and Washington D.C. Delta's three metropolitan-area airports carried 23.6 million domestic and international passengers in 2013, up from 23.1 million passengers in 2012. Delta and its nearly 9,000 New York-based employees are part of the fabric of the New York community, acting as the official airline of the Yankees, Mets, Knicks, Rangers, Madison Square Garden, Food Bank for New York City, New York Wine and Food and amfAR among many others.

About Habitat for Humanity New York City
Habitat for Humanity New York City transforms lives by building quality homes with families in need and by uniting all New Yorkers around the cause of affordable housing. With the help of thousands of volunteers every year, Habitat NYC has served more than 380 families in the five boroughs of New York City with their permanent housing needs. To volunteer, donate or learn more, visit HabitatNYC.org or call (212) 991-4000.

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SOURCE Delta Air Lines