Delta employees have helped families across the globe for more than 20 years through its partnership with Habitat for Humanity, a global nonprofit organization that works with families to build or improve a place they can call home. This week, Delta employees, along with employees from partner airline GOL and Santander Brasil, are in Recife, Brazil, continuing this commitment to service to communities worldwide.

The 2019 Delta Global Build takes place March 18-22, marking Delta's 16th Global Build with Habitat for Humanity and the first build in Brazil. Volunteers include 54 Delta employees and two retirees, representing 24 stations and four countries, and 12 employees from GOL. Four employees from Santander Brasil will also join the team of volunteers.

The 72-member team will work alongside future Habitat homeowners in Nossa Senhora do Ó, a small town near Recife, to begin construction of six new homes. The work involves the construction of exterior walls, bathrooms, kitchen facilities and the first two rooms of each home.

"The Delta Global Build shows that travel is not just about connecting destinations, but also experiences, cultures, people, airlines and the global community," said Tad Hutcheson, Delta's managing director of Community Engagement. "It is a privilege to have our colleagues at GOL join us on this year's Global Build with Habitat for Humanity, strengthening our partnership and supporting the community we serve together in Brazil."

"The team is happy to take time from their work to join forces with GOL and Santander Brasil to be an active participant in making our communities stronger. This is at the heart of Delta’s core values,” said Fabio Camargo, Delta’s director of Brazil. “The days spent on this project will be memorable for all of us.”

“Delta has truly made a global impact in helping families secure safe and affordable housing,” said Julie Laird Davis, vice president of Corporate and Foundation Relations at Habitat for Humanity International. “We are grateful to Delta for its support over the years and the many employees who volunteer their time and skills to work alongside Habitat homeowners around the world.”

Delta employees have helped build or rehabilitate 264 homes in 12 countries all over the world since its partnership with Habitat for Humanity began in 1995. Delta Global Builds have been organized in Argentina, Chile, China, the Dominican Republic, Ghana, Haiti, India, Mexico, the Philippines, South Africa, Thailand and the United States.

Giving back to the communities where they live, work and serve is core to Delta's culture, and the Delta Global Build is the company’s special way for Delta employees to give back by helping Habitat create safe and decent shelter in partnership with those need of affordable housing.