Milgard Windows Lends a Hand to Helping Hand House

TACOMA, Wash. (November 2, 2009) - When Milgard Windows & Doors presented an $8,334 grant to Helping Hand House, the Tacoma-based building products manufacturer brought to life the phrase "lending a hand to a neighbor in need."

Helping Hand house is one of three non-profit agencies sharing a $25,000 grant directed by Milgard from the Masco Corporation Foundation, the charitable arm of Milgard's parent company, Masco. Other beneficiaries include Simi Valley Samaritan Center, Simi Valley, California, and A New Leaf, Mesa, Arizona.

"Helping Hand House is dedicated to preventing and ending family homelessness right here in Pierce County, a cause particularly relevant in today's economic environment," said Milgard President, Gary Gessel. "The organization is the embodiment of the kind of community-based organization Milgard and its parent company, Masco, support through the Masco Corporation Foundation and our own community action team activities."

"We're very grateful for this grant from Milgard," said Nola Renz, executive director of Helping Hand House. "We've seen the need for our utility assistance, and transitional, emergency and permanent supportive housing assistance programs quadruple in the last 18 months. Milgard's gift is a tremendous help as foreclosures on homes and even multi-family apartment buildings in Pierce County have risen to record levels."

Recipients of the grants were identified in a survey of company employees to determine which non-profit organizations were most responsive to the hunger and homelessness needs in their own communities. The gift continues a long tradition of community support by Milgard family members, Milgard Windows & Doors and the Masco Foundation.

In addition to such corporate gifts, Milgard Matching Gift Community Action Team volunteers participate in community events, fundraising and community improvement activities through volunteerism and monetary donations. More than 80% of Milgard's Tacoma area employees live in Pierce County, Washington. In 2008, Milgard employees gave more than $86,000 in donations and over 8,000 hours in community service to organizations in the county.

Milgard matches employee donations and provides additional incentive for employee volunteerism by doubling the size of the matching donation when the employee has donated 50 or more hours of time to the same organization in the past 12 months.

For more information on Helping Hands House, visit www.helpinghandhouse.org