Habitat ReStore receives large donation
Al Lorenzi Building Products donated more than $35,000 worth of merchandise to the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Washington, including home-improvement supplies, shelving units, signs and hardware.
Habitat for Humanity ReStore manager Charlene DeBolt and Al Lorenzi Building Products President Vince Lorenzi stand in front of a truck Friday. Lorenzi donated a variety of building and home-improvement items to ReStore.
Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore in Washington thrives on donations, and this week the store received enough merchandise to stock its shelves for some time. Even the shelves were donated.
Al Lorenzi Building Products gave more than $30,000 worth of supplies to the nonprofit home improvement store on East Maiden Street. Habitat for Humanity’s resale stores raise money to help cover the construction cost of homes built for low-income families.
Vince Lorenzi, president and chief executive officer of Al Lorenzi, said company employees were downsizing inventory this week to prepare for the store’s relocation from Canton Township to Cecil Township.
Lorenzi didn’t hesitate to contact the Restore. His company previously donated items to Habitat for Humanity in 2004 after a flood caused by Hurricane Ivan rendered some of its merchandise unsellable, but still perfectly usable.
“It worked out very well for both of us,” Lorenzi said.
Al Lorenzi donated much-needed shelves to replace the ReStore’s unstable units, some of which were constructed by volunteers. The store also donated signs, lumber, hardware, paint and electrical supplies, all which will be available for purchase at a reduced cost.
ReStore manager Charlene DeBolt said it’s been a while since the ReStore received new merchandise. Now, they are “pretty full” and had to move old supplies into other storage units.
“I’m just so overwhelmed,” DeBolt said. “It’s so exciting.”
DeBolt said the Al Lorenzi store in Canton Township will be missed by the community, and she is grateful for the generous donation.
Al Lorenzi will relocate from Canton Township to a new spot between Route 19 and Interstate 79 in order to reach a larger customer base.