Nashville, Tenn. – Yvette T. recalls a time in her life when she thought financial issues would make becoming a homeowner impossible. She said, “All the odds were against me. If it were not for this opportunity through Habitat, I think we would always live in an apartment and never get out of the cycle of poverty.”

Yvette T. represents one of 16 families whose lives will be transformed by the largest Habitat for Humanity Build in Nashville history. From 12:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. on January 24 approximately 650 DaimlerChrysler Financial Services (DCFS) employees will get a head start on that build. Employees will construct wall panels for 16 new Habitat homes in the Ryman Exhibit Hall at Nashville’s Gaylord Opryland Hotel. The homes will be completed in Nashville Area Habitat for Humanity’s (NAHFH) all-Habitat Providence Park community this spring. DCFS employees scheduled the volunteer activity as part of their annual Field Sales Conference in Nashville.

“We are pleased to accommodate this many people volunteering their time and energy to help build affordable homes for families that otherwise would never have the chance to obtain a conventional bank loan, much less purchase their own home,” said Chris McCarthy, President and CEO of NAHFH. “We very much appreciate this legion of volunteers supplied by DaimlerChrysler Financial Services. It is dedication like this that makes it possible for us to give a hand up, not a hand out, here at Nashville Area Habitat for Humanity.”

Construction will take place in a single afternoon on January 24. DCFS employees will spend more than 3,000 man hours on building wall panels from 2’x 6’studs. These wall frames will be used to build 16 new Habitat homes in Phase III of Providence Park, a neighborhood of 140 Habitat homes, which will be completed in 2007.

“Habitat for Humanity helps people to help themselves and to break the vicious cycle of poverty through home ownership,” said Klaus Entenmann, President and CEO of DaimlerChrysler Financial Services Americas LLC. “We are pleased to partner with Habitat for Humanity to build on our commitment to financial empowerment in our communities.”

DCFS employees will be divided into teams, with each team working on one house. NAHFH will bring all the materials necessary to construct the wall frames, plus experienced volunteers to assist. The Gaylord Opryland Hotel waived portions of the rental fee for the indoor space in support of the Build.

“We will provide the building materials, tools and safety equipment necessary to construct the interior and exterior walls,” said Gary Bigelow, COO of NAHFH. “The experience will be similar to the build site without concern for the weather.”

DCFS representatives plan to return to Nashville and attend dedication ceremonies for the families that are purchasing these homes. The dedication ceremony will be held Sunday, April 29, 2007.

“With the help of DaimlerChrysler Financial Services we can finish the 140 Habitat homes in Providence Park in 2007,” said McCarthy. “Then, the neighborhood and community will be complete for everyone to enjoy.”

DaimlerChrysler Financial Services has partnered with Habitat for Humanity in communities across North America. In December 2005, DCFS hosted “Country Cares,” a concert in Detroit with singers Martina McBride, LeAnn Rimes and Carrie Underwood. The event raised $500,000 for Habitat for Humanity to support victims of Hurricane Katrina. Only one month later, more than 200 DCFS senior and executive managers laid the foundation for 7 Habitat for Humanity Homes in Mexico City as part of their Senior Leadership Meeting. DCFS regularly schedules community volunteer activities as part of its meeting and conference programs.

Nashville Area Habitat for Humanity (NAHFH) is a non-profit, ecumenical Christian organization committed to providing families with the life changing opportunity to purchase decent, affordable homes. The agency consistently ranks in the top 1 percent of all Habitat affiliates and has quadrupled in size since 2002. NAHFH built a record 50 homes in 2006 - 38 locally and 12 abroad. Prior to becoming homeowners, Habitat partner families must complete up to 475 hours of "sweat equity" at the build site and in the classroom to earn their homes. Mortgage payments at zero percent interest range between $350 and $450 per month, including taxes and insurance. NAHFH builds ENERGY STAR Certified energy efficient homes. To request an application or to receive more information about NAHFH, call 615-254-HOME or visit www.habitatnashville.org.