Home to be Built Using Rockefeller Tree Lumber

NEWBURGH – Lumber from the 2015 Rockefeller Center® Christmas Tree became part of the future home of the Talamante family during a special build day on Tuesday, June 28. The lumber helped frame one of four gut rehab projects located on South Miller Street in the City of Newburgh. On hand for the build day were members of the Talamante family, and volunteers from Tishman Speyer.

Executive Director of Habitat Newburgh, Cathy Collins, expressed, “Today was a special day as the lumber from the tree became a permanent part of the house that the Talamante family will purchase. The tradition of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree represents so much joy and hope. This spirit will live on in this home and in this neighborhood that we are building in partnership with the families in our homeownership program. We are grateful to be part of this tradition that takes this special tree from symbol, to lumber, to home.”

In a nearly decade-long tradition, Tishman Speyer, the owner and manager of Rockefeller Center, has donated lumber from the tree to Habitat for Humanity.

“The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is a gift that keeps giving. It brings joy to people during the holiday season, which continues as it becomes part of a Habitat home,” said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. “We’re thankful to Tishman Speyer for donating the tree to Habitat for the ninth consecutive year and for supporting our mission as we help families build strength, stability and independence through shelter.”

This is the second time that this iconic holiday symbol has become part of a Habitat home in Newburgh. Lumber from the 2010 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree was used to build the Exantus family home, and is now a permanent part of Habitat Newburgh’s E. Parmenter Street Neighborhood.

Tishman Speyer first partnered with Habitat for Humanity in 2005 when employee volunteers framed houses for one week in Rockefeller Plaza to help families affected by Hurricane Katrina. The partnership expanded in 2007, the first year lumber from the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree was donated to Habitat for Humanity.