Local company's donation helps build homes
Congress Jewelers gives $200,000 to Habitat for Humanity
SPECIAL TO FLORIDA WEEKLY

COURTESY PHOTO Congress Jewelers employees helped to build a Habitat for Humanity home in Cape Coral recently. From the left, are: Sanibel Island store co-manager Josh Arringdale; Jeweler Tommy Morgan from the Bonita Springs store; Director of Marketing Joanne Asztalos; Sanibel Island store General Manager Marybel Benzrihem; and President/CEO Scot Congress.

Congress Jewelers has donated $200,000 to Habitat for Humanity of Lee County. The contribution, in funds received through the Community Contribution Tax Credit Program, is underwriting the costs of four homes being built this year. The 2007 contribution marks the sixth year the company has participated in the Florida program, bringing its total donations in the tax-credit program to $883,667.

Several Congress Jewelers employees joined President Scot Congress when they reported with hammers in hand to the Habitat for Humanity site in northeast Cape Coral.

"Supporting Habitat for Humanity is one way we can make a difference and give something back to the Southwest Florida community we call home," said Congress. "Affordable housing is a crisis here, and it's impossible for our low-income workforce to even think about owning a home. We chose to be part of the solution."

Congress Jewelers' contributions have sponsored 18 homes, covering the cost of materials and the work of licensed professionals such as electricians. Habitat for Humanity purchases the lots, and volunteers and future homeowners build the homes.

Each new Habitat homeowner must invest a minimum of 500 hours working side-by-side with the volunteers and must make a $1,200 down payment. The homeowner then repays the cost of the home through a long-term, zero-interest loan. The money goes back into the program to build more homes.

"Congress Jewelers has been a faithful supporter in helping Habitat fulfill its mission," said Mary Moore, vice president of development for Habitat's Lee County chapter. "In addition to the 18 sponsored homes, they made a significant donation to Bonita Bay residents' third annual auction to benefit Habitat."

Habitat for Humanity of Lee County is the second-largest chapter in the nation, with 131 homes built last year. In 2006, the organization received 622 applications from prospects for the 66 single-family homes that were built. Florida officials estimate that 10,000 families with children are living in substandard housing in Lee County.

The state tax-credit program is administered by the Florida Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development and was created to give sales-tax rebates to businesses that make donations toward community development and affordable housing.

The tax-credit program accepts applications from any business that collects sales tax. Yet Habitat for Humanity receives funds from just eight Lee County businesses. To learn more about the program, businesses should contact Burt Von Hoff, community development liaison with the Office of Tourism & Economic Development, at 850-487-2568.

Congress Jewelers, founded on Sanibel Island in 1983, has stores on Sanibel, on U.S. 41 in Bonita Springs, on Fifth Avenue and in Coastland Center in Naples, and on Duval Street in Key West. ¦