Nissan and Heisman Trust partner with Habitat for Humanity to build a real 'Heisman House' in Nashville
Collaboration brings together five Heisman Trophy winners for home build, and a bonus football clinic at Nissan Stadium for Boys & Girls Club
NASHVILLE (April 21, 2016) – For the fourth consecutive year, Nissan is partnering with the Heisman Trophy Trust to begin construction of a Habitat for Humanity home in a community where the automaker has a business presence. This year the home is located north of Nashville.
Participating Heisman Trophy winners include Tim Brown of Notre Dame, Mark Ingram of Alabama, George Rogers of South Carolina, Billy Sims of Oklahoma and current Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota of Oregon.
Before starting the Habitat home, upon their arrival in Nashville today, the Heisman Trophy winners helped to lead a youth football clinic at Nissan Stadium. The football clinic engaged 200 student members of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee who ran drills and practiced basic football stances.
“We were certainly thrilled to host this event with our partners at Nissan. It was simply awesome to host more than 200 area kids from the Boys & Girls Clubs at Nissan Stadium and interact with Heisman legends,” said Ralph Ockenfels, vice president, Marketing and Broadcasting and Digital Rights, Tennessee Titans.
Construction of a new home will kick off on April 22 with the Heisman Trophy winners and new Habitat homeowners, Mohammed Berema and his wife, Khadija Aldom. Over the next four weeks, groups of Nissan volunteers will complete the house with the homeowners and other Habitat volunteers.
Starting in 2013, this unique collaboration grew out of existing relationships among Nissan and its longtime partners Habitat for Humanity and the Heisman Trophy Trust.
“Nissan has been active for many years with Habitat for Humanity in communities where we live and work, and our strong partnership with the Heisman Trust and its mission of building strong communities and service to America’s youth continues to be an excellent fit,” said Jeremy Tucker, vice president, Marketing Communication and Media, Nissan. “We’re grateful to these athletes for joining in this unique partnership to conduct a football clinic for area kids, and to help Berema and Aldom and their family improve their living conditions through homeownership.”
The Heisman House concept launched by Nissan in 2011 highlights its sponsorship of The Heisman Memorial Trophy, which is awarded annually to an outstanding college football player. The campaign gathers many of the most celebrated college football players of the last 30 years into the fraternal order of the Heisman House.
“While every Habitat home is a blessing, the special relationship with Nissan and the Heisman Trust makes this home build extra special,” said Danny Herron, CEO, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville. “We take pride in empowering families in realizing the dream of owning their first home, and having the Heisman winners working alongside the many generous volunteers to make this family’s dream come true is an experience we will always remember.”
Nissan invites all its stakeholders to support Habitat for Humanity. NissanUSA.com visitors can click through to Habitat’s website to make a donation or find volunteer opportunities across the United States. Habitat was named “Brand of the Year” in the social services nonprofit category based on the 2016 Harris Poll EquiTrend® Equity Score. This is the second consecutive year the global nonprofit has been recognized for its strength in brand equity. In addition, Habitat for Humanity earned the distinction of being named the “Most Loved” and “Most Trusted” brand within its category this year.
Nissan’s national partnership with Habitat dates back to 2005, following hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Since 2006, Nissan has contributed more than $13 million to Habitat for Humanity. Nissan employees have helped to build more than 70 homes across the United States, and the company has donated 130 vehicles to support Habitat’s mission.
About Nissan North America
In North America, Nissan’s operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program and has been recognized annually by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency as an ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year since 2010. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.InfinitiUSA.com, or visit the U.S. media sites NissanNews.com and InfinitiNews.com.
About Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan’s second-largest automotive company, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, and is part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 247,500 employees globally, Nissan sold 5.32 million vehicles and generated revenue of 11.38 trillion yen (US$103.6 billion) in fiscal year 2014. Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of more than 60 models under the Nissan, Infiniti and Datsun brands. Nissan leads the world in zero-emission mobility, dominated by sales of the LEAF, the first mass-market, pure-electric vehicle. It is the best-selling EV in history with an almost 50 percent share of the zero-emission vehicle segment. For more information on our products, services and commitment to sustainable mobility, visit our website at http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/.
About Habitat for Humanity International
Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity has grown from a grassroots effort that began on a community farm in southern Georgia in 1976 to a global nonprofit housing organization in nearly 1,400 communities across the U.S. and in over 70 countries. People partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower. To learn more, visit habitat.org.
About Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville seeks to put God’s love into action by bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope. Prior to becoming homeowners, Habitat future homeowners attend home education classes, work at the build site, and volunteer at Habitat’s retail outlet, the ReStore. Since 1985, Habitat of Greater Nashville has built or recycled nearly more than 770 homes. To request an application or to receive more information about Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville, call 615-254-HOME or visit www.habitatnashville.org.
About The Heisman Trophy Trust
The Heisman Memorial Trophy annually recognizes the outstanding college football player whose performance best exhibits the pursuit of excellence with integrity. Winners epitomize great ability combined with diligence, perseverance and hard work. The Heisman Trophy Trust ensures the continuation and integrity of this award. The Trust, furthermore, has a charitable mission to support amateur athletics and to provide greater opportunities to the youth of our country. Our goal through these charitable endeavors is for the Heisman Trophy to symbolize the fostering of a sense of community responsibility and service to our youth, especially those disadvantaged or afflicted.