![\"First](\"http:\/\/wordpress.jonbonjovisoulfoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/imported\/editorial-photos\/1248819108.18662.2dc360096f0026f9457321d569d680c9300.jpg\" "\\"First")
\n\u201cIn these difficult times, this commitment is more important than ever,\u201d Saturn dealer Carl Galeana says at the dedication of the first house to be finished. \u201cThis community needs us and we need each other.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously it is not a great time for the auto industry, but it\u2019s not the time to pull back; it\u2019s time to reach out.\u201d<\/p>\n
Five months ago, GM, 10 Saturn dealers and their staffs \u2013 and even some customers \u2013 joined with Habitat for Humanity and others to begin building the 2-story homes on the east side.<\/p>\n
They are in an area that is being transformed with new affordable housing for low-income residents. The residences replace decaying houses, similar to several that still exist nearby.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis block was scary this summer, but look at it now,\u201d Galeana tells Ward\u2019s, pointing to the Habitat houses and several others like it built through similar projects. \u201cBefore, there were pit bulls tied to poles outside decaying homes and people living in houses that looked abandoned.<\/p>\n
Saturn and Detroit-area dealers helped build this house and four others on city\u2019s east side.<\/p>\n\n
\u201cThis city will come back. You can\u2019t give up on a community when times are tough. That\u2019s what this is all about.\u201d<\/p>\n
GM and Saturn dealers not only provided funding for the houses, they also helped in the actual construction, under the guidance of Habitat for Humanity builders.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had managers, sales people, office staff and customers out here swinging hammers, some for the first time,\u201d says Michigan dealer Pat Moran, owner of Saturn of Fort Gratiot in Port Huron and Moran Chevrolet in Clinton Township.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is typical of Saturn to help like this,\u201d says Roderick Gillum, GM\u2019s vice president-corporate responsibility and diversity. \u201cIt\u2019s the legacy of the brand to get involved.\u201d<\/p>\n
Saturn is assisting in building 15 similar homes in Philadelphia and three in Colorado. All the projects are in conjunction with rock star Jon Bon Jovi\u2019s Soul Charitable Foundation.<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cWithout Saturn and its retailers stepping up in these dark times, we would not be here giving light to five homeowners,\u201d says the foundation\u2019s Mimi Box.<\/p>\n
Sherrell English and her two daughters will move into the completed house. Habitat offers long-term, no-interest mortgages to the homeowners, who themselves must provide 650 hours of \u201csweat equity\u201d helping in home-building projects.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt makes you feel so good when you are giving to others like that,\u201d English says. \u201cI\u2019ve made some new friends and it\u2019s inspired me to do more.\u201d<\/p>\n
Helping construct her home is Tom Harrison. A customer of Saturn of Clarkston (MI), he learned about the project from the dealership.<\/p>\n
He says GM\u2019s generosity towards such worthy causes is particularly striking in light of the lack of humanity shown the day before by some Washington lawmakers who opposed a federal bridge loan to domestic auto makers.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d like to bring that (Sen. Richard) Shelby guy up here and show him what the Detroit auto industry does for those in need,\u201d Harrison, standing in the living room of the new house, tells Ward\u2019s. \u201cBring him right to this house.\u201d<\/p>\n
Moran wouldn\u2019t want to be part of that visit.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t want him or any of those other senators in my state,\u201d he says. \u201cWhat I\u2019d have to say to them is unprintable.\u201d<\/p>\n
Auto sales may be at record lows this year, but they haven\u2019t disappeared, Moran notes. \u201cBusiness is not that bad. Customers come in every day. They buy every day.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur problem is perception,\u201d he says. \u201cThe customers that come in say, \u2018I\u2019m surprised to see other buyers here; I thought I\u2019d be the only one.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
GM, Dealers Build Houses for Needy Families<\/p>\n
By Steve Finlay
\nWardsAuto.com, Dec 12, 2008 4:24 PM<\/p>\n
DETROIT \u2013 Cash-strapped General Motors Corp. and its dealers have plenty of problems of their own these days, but that didn\u2019t stop them from helping to build five houses for needy families in this distressed city.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":47,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[25,8],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n