Habitat for Humanity Wellington County received on March 4 a $77,000 grant given from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
The grant will allow it to develop a fundraising program that includes the hiring of the new fund development manager, Elizabeth Bonkink.
She will lead a program that will be responsible for raising funds to build five homes in 2011, Habitat’s biggest building year to date.
“Habitat for Humanity is an organization that not only can transform the lives of families looking for a safe and decent home but also help transform the culture of our community,” said Guelph MPP Liz Sandals.
With an estimated $850,000 needed to fund five projects, Sandals believes the fundraising program will give the organization an early advantage in its endeavours.
The price of the land is always a major component of the cost of building a home; even a small building lot can cost anywhere up to $100,000. Habitat Wellington County was relieved of that expense last year as Skyline donated the land for two semi-detached homes built on Bagot Street, Habitat’s first build of 2011, its second Women Build project, will see at single family home built at 439 York Road.
Habitat for Humanity Canada has national partners that contribute to several builds throughout the country. Home Depot, Whirlpool, Genworth and Delta Hotels are among the national partners that have provided significant funding to homes built in Guelph and Wellington County. Local funders this year include Kortright Presbyterian Church, which will lead a faith build later this year.
Habitat received an unexpected donation earlier this year, from Karson Simpson, a grade 6 student from Taylor Evans Public School, who won the national Genworth Meaning of Home contest. Her winning essay, Hope garnered a $60,000 prize that she donated to the local Habitat.
Habitat Wellington’s executive director, Diane Nelson, feels fortunate to have been the recipient of national and local support but believes the Guelph and Wellington County communities have untapped resources.
