First Green Bank’s New Winter Park Branch Donates Reusable Commercial Fixtures to Habitat for Humanity

Mount Dora, Fla. --- Somewhere a hip new boutique, a charitable thrift store or a creative hair salon is going to find its future at Habitat for Humanity. First Green Bank, which ranks as one of the nation’s greenest banks according to the American Bankers Association, recently donated high-quality interior fixtures, cabinets, retail display shelves and granite counters valued at $2,200 to Habitat for Humanity for resale and reuse in Habitat for Humanity ReUse Stores in Florida. Ken LaRoe, chairman and chief executive officer at First Green Bank, said the sleek designer cabinetry was high tech in its day---at the iconic Absolute Sound store in swanky Winter Park. Now, the furnishings can find a new life as late-1980s retro---at a very affordable price for a creative entrepreneur. “This is one of the reasons I’m so proud of First Green Bank,” LaRoe said. “From day one, the remodeling design of our new Winter Park location included plans to recycle, reuse and restore existing resources---that is the most conservative approach to expansion. LaRoe said the bank’s “green” values are part of its core mission, and Habitat for Humanity is one of the bank’s favorite beneficiaries. “Someone gave a lot of thought to the design and construction of those fixtures,” LaRoe said. “They cost a lot when they were new. They consume a lot of energy in their construction, transportation, materials and assembly. Our mission is to maximize the value of those things, even used retail cabinets,” he said. Habitat for Humanity accepts donated construction materials, architectural features and building supplies for resale at all of its ReUse Stores throughout Florida, including Orlando, Sanford, Leesburg, Eustis, Groveland, and Wildwood locations. First Green Bank expects to open its new “green” Winter Park branch in early Spring 2014, LaRoe said.