Delta Air Lines completed its 13th Global Build with Habitat for Humanity this week with the construction of six homes in Chulavista, a small community 35 miles north of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Sixty-five volunteers participated in the joint build with Delta’s alliance partner Aeromexico – a lineup of 45 Delta employees from 23 stations across five countries, two SkyMiles customers, two Delta retirees and 16 Aeromexico employees.

The effort marks the first in a series of 2017 Delta and Habitat for Humanity initiatives, including a second Global Build in Mexico slated for October, where a volunteer team will return to the community of Chulavista to build six additional homes. In addition, Delta volunteers will build seven homes across U.S. cities this fall, including Atlanta, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York City and Seattle, marking Delta homes 242 through 248 in partnership with Habitat for Humanity throughout the airline’s 15-plus years of support. Delta’s partnership with Habitat for Humanity supports the airline’s commitment to contribute 1 percent of its net income from the previous year to key charitable organizations.

“As a global carrier, we continue to expand our long-standing partnership with Habitat for Humanity across global communities and 2017 will be a remarkable year for deepening this commitment,” said Tad Hutcheson, Delta’s Managing Director – Community Engagement. “There is no greater testament to the Delta Difference than our employees, customers and partners coming together to build a stronger community.”

The joint Delta and Aeromexico team worked alongside future Habitat homeowners in Chulavista to begin the early construction of six new homes. Volunteers constructed the foundation, bathroom, kitchen facilities and two rooms. Habitat for Humanity Mexico will provide families with the training and guidance to complete their new home with help from local volunteers, architects and engineers.

“This effort marks Delta and Aeromexico’s third Delta Global Build together and complements 23 years of partnership,” said Mike Medeiros, Aeromexico’s Chief Operating Officer, who participated in the build. “A commitment to serving others and giving back to the communities where we live, work and serve is a shared core value among both Delta and Aeromexico. This build allows us to deepen our servant leadership model, while working together for families in Chulavista.”

For the seventh consecutive year, a SkyMiles customer who bid for the opportunity to participate through Delta’s SkyMiles Experiences online auction was embedded as a volunteer. Diamond Medallion member Ron Berg from Edina, Minn., won the experience with a bid of 321,000 miles, and was joined by his wife, Julie Berg.

“The extraordinary commitment of partners like Delta helps families break the barriers to securing decent and affordable housing,” said Colleen Finn Ridenhour, senior vice president of Development at Habitat for Humanity International. “We are grateful for the continuous support of Delta and its employees to make a difference in helping families around the world have a decent place to live.”