The mission of Saskatoon Habitat for Humanity Battlefords Chapter is “to mobilize volunteers and community partners in building affordable housing and promoting home ownership as a means to breaking the cycle of poverty.”
Habitat for Humanity/Battlefords Chapter would like to recognize and Home Hardware Building Centre North Battleford for their work in the first phase of the duplex building project in the Battlefords. Home Hardware donated the cost of 754.5 hours of labour in order to put in the footings and build the basement on the duplex plus $15,000 for materials and building supplies to bring the total value of the donation to $26,500. This commitment from Home Hardware Building Center North Battleford was instrumental in getting this inaugural building project started last July.
In November, Ron Braun was hired as site construction co-ordinator. Braun has been working with Home Hardware, volunteers and family members to keep the project moving forward. According to Braun, the gas and power are now into the site. The electrical work on the main floor has been completed. Plumbers will be coming in next and siding has been ordered.
Habitat for Humanity gives a hand up to families that need a home. We believe access to safe and decent housing is a basic human right that should be available to all people. Each of the two families who will move into their duplex must contribute 500 hours of labour in their duplex home or on work approved by Saskatoon Habitat for Humanity Battlefords Chapter. The families have been actively involved through the fall and winter and are excited to get into more hands on work as the weather warms up.
The next phase of the work will start when the furnace has been installed and will involve more volunteers. There are many ways to become involved. If you are interested in any aspect of volunteering including phoning, donating food, helping with publicity, working on fundraising or serving on the board, please contact Morley Dickson at 306-481-6766 or Ed Truelove at 306-441-0525.
To make a donation, or to donate a car, please go to the website: habitatsaskatoon.ca/donate/North Battleford Chapter or go to Innovation Credit Union. “helping hands” can be purchased for a donation of a dollar or more at Home Hardware, Innovation Credit Union and Crandleberry's. Donations of $20 or more will receive tax receipts upon request.
“Helping hand” donations represent the “hand up” that the community provides through volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity. Innovation Credit Union will be doing a blitz, collecting money for “helping hands”, from March 14 to May 14. Even a dollar donation helps move the project forward by giving a hand up to those needing a home of their own.
All we need is warmer weather and continued support from the community to keep the dream alive.
