GUELPH – Students across the Habitat for Humanity Wellington Dufferin Guelph (Habitat WDG) catchment area now have an opportunity to help local families, individuals and people with disabilities become a Habitat homeowner.
Accepting entries until Feb. 18, the Meaning of Home national writing contest – in support of Habitat for Humanity Canada and its local affiliates – asks students in Grades 4 to 6 to share what “home” means to them.
Over the last 12 years, more than 50,000 students have participated.
Meaning of Home contest has raised over $1 million to build homes across Canada for families in need of decent and affordable housing, officials say.
“When you ask this age group to put pen to paper and tell you what home means to them, the answers are simple and heartwarming,” said Habitat WDG CEO, Steve Howard. “They reflect the fundamentals of ‘home’ that perhaps affluent individuals can take for granted.
“The submissions we receive are a perfect reminder to all of us that home means feeling safe and secure – and shouldn’t everyone be able to feel that way?”
Three grand prize winners, one for each grade, will have the opportunity to direct a grant of $25,000 to their local Habitat for Humanity.
Nine runners up will also receive a grant of $5,000 to the Habitat build of their choice. And, for every contest entry, a donation of $10 will be made to that student’s local Habitat.
“Last year, 524 students within our catchment area entered the contest and we were thrilled to see such a high level of participation,” Howard said.
“That number of entries translated to over $5,200 raised for Habitat WDG and our builds.”
The Meaning of Home contest is open to all Grade 4, 5 and 6 students across Canada.
Submissions will be accepted online until Feb. 18 with winners announced in April.
More information on how to enter, as well as details on prizing, can be found at www.meaningofhome.ca.
“As a founding sponsor of the Meaning of Home contest, we have seen its positive impact grow year after year,” said Stuart Levings, president and CEO of Genworth Canada.
“By encouraging students to become more engaged, we are teaching them to become more compassionate community members, all while educating them on the need for more affordable housing in Canada.”
