LEWISTON — Androscoggin Habitat for Humanity announces the recipients of its 2014 Volunteer and Corporate Sponsor of the Year awards.

Each year, many individuals volunteer their time to help Androscoggin Habitat for Humanity with its mission of eliminating substandard housing in the community. The recipients of Habitat’s annual awards go above and beyond in their efforts to serve the public and make a true difference in the lives of others.

The 2014 Volunteer of the Year Award, Habitat’s highest volunteer honor, was given to Ed Buschmann. Not only does he make financial and product donations to Habitat, he has assisted with the setup and tear down of the food booth at the Great Falls Balloon Festival and puts many volunteer hours into the Androscoggin Habitat for Humanity store. He is in charge of all donation pickups for the store. If it were not for his time and the generous donation of a truck from E.A. Buschmann, Habitat would not be able to pick up donations from individuals in our community for resale in the store.

Buschmann is the founder and former owner of E.A. Buschmann, a local business that has sold a large variety of packaging and other products for more than 50 years. He retired and sold the business to his daughter, Jennifer, in 2004.

The 2014 Corporate Sponsor of the Year was awarded to Lighting Concepts. it first began its relationship with Habitat 10 years ago by making a large donation of lighting fixtures to Habitat’s store. Now, it not only makes donations to the store, but also supports Habitat’s annual golf tournaments through a tee/team sponsorship.

Lighting Concepts is a family-owned lighting retailer headquartered in Lewiston since 1994. Ray and Mitch Deblois, owners and operators of the business, grew up in this community and understand the concept of giving back.

For more information about Androscoggin Habitat for Humanity and the services it provides to families living in Androscoggin and Oxford counties, call 786-2598 or email: [email protected]