Habitat ReStore gets record donation

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - The Fort Wayne Habitat for Humanity ReStore announced Monday that it recently received its largest single donation ever, worth more than $1.3 million, from an electrical products company based in Anderson.

Connecticut Electric, Inc. donated 31 pallets of electrical supplies to the ReStore through Habitat for Humanity International’s gifts in-kind program, according to the store.

“We are very grateful to Connecticut Electric for its support of Habitat for Humanity,” said Pam Lochner, manager at the Fort Wayne Habitat for Humanity ReStore. “This generous donation will enable the ReStore to not only provide new electrical products to our customers, but also continue supporting the Fort Wayne Habitat mission of providing affordable housing to low-income families in Allen County through revenue collected from the items’ sale.”

Local ReStore leaders said the pallets donated will be sold at the Fort Wayne Habitat ReStore and exchanged with other Indiana ReStores for a variety of merchandise needed at the Fort Wayne store.

“Like most companies, our product offerings change with market demands, which can occasionally lead to excess inventory,” said Joe Brandon, president of Connecticut Electric, Inc. “Connecticut Electric decided that instead of letting that inventory sit on a shelf, it would be better served helping others in the community.  We were proud to donate to an organization as worthwhile as Habitat for Humanity.”