Coverings Exhibitors,Tile Partners Team

Chicago, IL, May 14, 2007--For the fourth consecutive year, Coverings exhibitors have teamed with Tile Partners for Humanity (TPFH), donating tons of excess tile, stone, adhesives and other valuable materials that will benefit Habitat for Humanity projects. In fact, three trailer trucks were loaded with approximately 50 pallets of goods by volunteers from Freeman, the service contractor for Coverings, and headed out from McCormick Place Convention Center destined both for actual installation in Chicago projects as well as for sale in the Northern Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity ReStore where it will generate revenue directly funding Habitat. This represents the first time the Chicago-area affiliate is the beneficiary because Coverings has been held in Orlando for the past three years since the initiative was undertaken.

“The response and involvement of so many of the 1200 Coverings exhibitors to Tile Partners for Humanity is exceedingly generous,” said Tamara Christian, CEO of National Trade Productions, which manages and produces the annual expo and conference. “We’ve heard from our exhibitors that this is a program they heartily endorse because they feel they can say thank you to the Coverings host community in a most unique and meaningful way. Typically, exhibitors bring much more merchandise to the show as a precaution in case of damage during shipping, lost deliveries, display revisions or just to be sure they have plenty of options on hand. While it may start out as ‘excess,’ it doesn’t go to waste, thanks to the true partnership forged by TPFH and the companies who exhibit.”

According to Ally Fertitta, executive director of TPFH, “Coverings exhibitors are amazing partners to us and we are extremely grateful for all they contribute. This year we received whole floors, plus significant amounts of granite and marble. The community of Chicago is the richer for having Coverings return for many reasons, and this generous contribution to Habitat for Humanity definitely is one of them.”

Fertitta estimates that in the four years Coverings has teamed with TPFH, materials valued at hundreds of thousands of dollars have been contributed and scores of families now have a permanent well-constructed home and roof over their heads.

Habitat for Humanity International, based in Americus, GA, is an ecumenical Christian ministry that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since 1976, Habitat has built more than 200,000 houses in 100 countries, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than one million people. For more information, visit www.habitat.org.

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