PORT ORANGE – The dedication of a Thompson Pump-built Habitat for Humanity home took place May 29, for the LeBlanc family at 939 Orange Ave. The new home is just a few miles from Thompson’s corporate headquarters.
More than 25 Thompson Pump employees and their family members, along with other volunteers from the community, helped build the home during the past eight months.
“We are extremely proud to have such a caring group of employees who understand the importance of giving back to the community that has been so good to us,” said Chris Thompson, president of the Port Orange-based company. “The volunteers found it fulfilling to give of their time and it was also very rewarding to get to meet the new homeowners, knowing that our work has made a lasting, positive impact in their lives.”
Several people spoke at the dedication of the Thompson Pump-sponsored home, including Lori Gillooly, CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Volusia County, and Bill Thompson, chairman of Thompson Pump. Many employees who participated in the construction of the house also were in attendance, along with company Community Support Team members that included Karrin Scott and Kelly Seliga.
Initial plans for this project began in April 2017 when the company looked for worthwhile community projects and discovered the nearby Habitat for Humanity home site. Thompson Pump immediately jumped on the opportunity and sponsored this home, as well as another currently under construction. After a ceremonial groundbreaking in the same month, construction began in August.
Things were progressing smoothly until Hurricane Irma hit Central Florida, which caused a shortage of supplies and subcontractors. In October, construction began again in earnest, and the Thompson Pump volunteers were there every weekend – and periodically during the week – when Habitat for Humanity’s personnel were at the site.
Thompson Pump, a 48-year-old family-owned company, is a full-service manufacturer and provider of high-quality pumps, pumping equipment and engineering expertise for dewatering, bypass, mining, flood control and emergency response applications worldwide.