Covestro and Habitat for Humanity of Kanawha & Putnam Celebrate More Than Two Decades of Building Homes and Hope

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. - October 22, 2026 - This week, as part of Covestro's Brighter Communities program, employees from the company's South Charleston site are once again picking up their hammers and hard hats for the 23rd annual Raise the Roof build with Habitat for Humanity of Kanawha & Putnam County (HFHKP). The team is helping raise the roof on a Habitat home located at 32 A Street in St. Albans, continuing a partnership that has transformed lives and strengthened communities for more than two decades.

Since 2003, Covestro has partnered with Habitat for Humanity of Kanawha & Putnam County, contributing $50,000 annually toward building materials and providing employees with paid time off to volunteer. Together, the partnership has helped build 20 homes for local families. Each year, approximately 10 to 20 Covestro volunteers invest nearly 200 volunteer hours during a week-long build, framing walls and raising the roof of a new home for a family on the path to homeownership.

Habitat for Humanity provides a hand up, not a handout. Future homeowners contribute a down payment, complete a minimum of 250 hours of sweat equity, attend financial literacy and homeowner education classes, and purchase their homes through a zero percent interest mortgage. Mortgage payments are then reinvested to help fund the construction of future Habitat homes. Over the past 30 years, Habitat for Humanity of Kanawha & Putnam County has built approximately 190 homes throughout the community.

"We know we're building houses, but we're also building hope, stability, and brighter futures for families in our community," said James Tolley, Maintenance Management at Covestro's South Charleston site and an eight-year member of the HFHKP Board of Directors. "The more I learned and experienced how this truly changes the lives of families and creates opportunities for their children, the more committed I became. I cannot champion this cause enough."

Tolley and his family have remained active supporters of Habitat through volunteer builds, fundraising efforts, and contributions to Habitat's ReStore through donations and purchases.

"Covestro has been a valued partner of Habitat for Humanity of Kanawha & Putnam County for more than 20 years," said Andrew Blackwood, CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Kanawha & Putnam County. "Their investment of both financial resources and volunteer manpower has helped us expand access to affordable homeownership and create lasting change for families throughout our region."

Blackwood noted that the partnership was recently recognized at HFHKP's annual fundraising event.

"On Tuesday evening, Covestro was honored as Habitat for Humanity of Kanawha Putnam County's 2026 Partner of the Year at our annual fundraiser, A Taste of," Blackwood said. "This recognition reflects Covestro's unwavering support of our mission and the incredible example the company sets as a dedicated and impactful community partner."

The success of the partnership has also inspired other Covestro locations across the country to establish similar collaborations with their local Habitat for Humanity affiliates, extending the impact of the company's commitment to building stronger communities.

About Habitat for Humanity of Kanawha & Putnam County:

Since 1988, Habitat for Humanity of Kanawha & Putnam County (HFHKP) has sought to put God's love into action by bringing people together to build homes, communities, and hope. Habitat partners with individuals and families to build and improve places to call home. Through affordable homeownership opportunities, volunteer engagement, and community partnerships, Habitat helps families achieve strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter.

HFHKP is an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, a global nonprofit housing organization operating in all 50 states and in more than 70 countries.