$1 million gift from GM CEO and his wife to kick start Habitat for Humanity Detroit campaign

Detroit, Mich. (WXYZ) - A campaign to revitalize a Detroit community received a $1 million shot in the arm from General Motors CEO Dan Akerson and his wife, Karin Akerson.

The personal gift from the couple, announced Tuesday at Detroit Public Schools' J.E. Clark Preparatory Academy, will help launch an ambitious Habitat for Humanity initiative called "Leaders to ReBuild Detroit." 

It will fund house rehabilitation, construction and repairs in partnership with 20 families and weatherization projects in partnership with 12 families in the Morningside Commons neighborhood.

"We saw the work that's been done and the work that's left to do," Akerson said. "We saw it all."

The couple made the decision to donate after touring the area and viewing the efforts of the non-profit housing organization and its many volunteers.

"We will make an impact, along with an army of GM employees and retirees who will participate in many and varied volunteer programs to help restore existing homes that can be preserved and help build new ones as well," Akerson said.

Habitat for Humanity hopes the Akerson's gift encourages other corporate leaders to join the campaign to raise $25 million dollars over the next three years to help at least 500 families in the east side neighborhood.