Camarillo, CA – Assembly Member Jeff Gorell has joined up with the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters Local 150 to help Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County recover from a despicable crime that has shocked the local community.

On Monday night thieves ransacked Habitat for Humanity’s “Habitat ReStore” in Oxnard, stealing thousands of dollars of merchandise and causing substantial property damage as they smashed their way into the charity’s ReStore, a discount home improvement center that supports their home-building mission.

The carpenters of Local 150 have volunteered to provide labor to repair the damages that resulted from the break-in, and have offered a donation of tools and equipment to get the charity back up and running. Assemblyman Gorell is making a monetary contribution and calling upon others in the community to help however they can.

“As a former prosecutor for Ventura County, it sickens me to read the news that one of our fantastic local charitable organizations has been the target of such a crime,” stated Gorell. “I’m donating $750 to Habitat for Humanity and join with my friends at the carpenters union to rally to their support. We are calling upon the community to provide whatever resources they can to get Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County back on their feet.”

Gorell will be making a donation from his political committee, and asks that anyone who wishes to help please contact Elizabeth Mayer with Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County at elizabethm@habitatventura.org. People can also easily donate online at: http://www.habitatventura.org

Habitat for Humanity International is founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a decent, safe and affordable place to live. Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Habitat and its homeowner families have built or rehabilitated more than 400,000 houses worldwide. In Ventura County, Habitat has rehabilitated more than 500 homes and built 52 new homes. A nonprofit, nondenominational Christian housing ministry, Habitat invites people of all backgrounds, races and religions to build together in partnership.

The Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters represents over 65,000 union carpenters in five states, including the members of Local 150 based out of Camarillo.

For additional information, please call Jeff's district office at (805) 230-9167.