Construction began May 24 on two Habitat for Humanity homes in Philadelphia using lumber milled from the 2011 Rockefeller Christmas Tree. Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia was joined by volunteers from Tishman Speyer, the co-owner and manager of Rockefeller Center, to assist in building the homes, helping two Philadelphia families realize the dream of homeownership.

“We are pleased to be a part of this wonderful tradition that delights so many people,” said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International, “and we are grateful to Tishman Speyer for partnering with us so that the Rockefeller Christmas Tree can live on in Habitat homes and be remembered for generations to come.”

The 79th Christmas tree was milled into lumber shortly after the holiday season and was returned to its home state of Pennsylvania to be used in the construction of the homes, which will be situated on Morse and Gratz streets in Philadelphia.

“Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia is looking forward to hosting the Tishman Speyer team to work on homes that will incorporate lumber from the 2011 Rockefeller Christmas tree. It’s going to be a great build,” said Frank Monaghan, executive director of Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia. “The homeowner families are equally excited that a portion of the Rockefeller tree will be used in their new homes. It will bring as much joy to them as it did to the visitors of Rockefeller Center.”

Since 2007, Tishman Speyer has donated lumber from the tree to Habitat for Humanity. Habitat has used the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lumber to help build homes in Pascagoula, Miss.; New York City; Stamford, Conn.; and Newburgh, N.Y.

“We are proud to donate the lumber from the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree to Habitat for Humanity once again,” said Keith M. Douglas, managing director sales and marketing of Rockefeller Center. “During the holiday season, thousands of people from around the world come to visit Rockefeller Center to view the tree and we are proud to see this holiday symbol continue to bring joy to a deserving family.”

Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia has built 160 homes since it was founded in 1985. Habitat Philadelphia focuses its efforts on building multiple homes in a community to transform entire neighborhoods one block at a time. Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia’s vision is a city where all Philadelphians live in safe, affordable homes.

For more information, visit www.habitatphiladelphia.org.

Today's top stories

Growing Interest in Construction Careers Among Younger People Means Jobs Filled, Deadlines Met

Larry Young Paving Tackles Grade-Separated Interchange in Texas

Caltrans, Crews Working to Repair Highway Landslides

FIRSTGREEN Industries Launches ROCKEAT Electric Skid Steer Loader

'Tiltrotator Effect' Increases as Energy Consumption Goes Down

VIDEO: Birmingham, Ala., Awarded $14.5M Fed Grant to Revitalize Its 'Black Main Street'

Pettibone Celebrates 75th Anniversary of Cary-Lift

Fay Preps Way for Pittsburgh International Airport Modernization Project