Habitat for Humanity Sunshine Coast

It took less than three hours for 18 women directed by two supervisors to completely install the insulation in both sides of a two-story duplex in Habitat’s Sunshine Coast Village on Tuesday.  The women came from Gibsons, Wilson Creek, Sechelt and  Pender Harbour. Some had experience, but many had no idea what they had volunteered to do. Donning gloves and masks, they enthusiastically set to work. The sun shone brightly – almost as brightly as the faces of two of the family members who will be moving in to a home when it is completed. “I can’t stop smiling,” one of them said later.

The most common appraisal of the day was: It was fun! Call me again when there is more to do. This will most certainly be done.

Bright sunshine made the January day nice enough to gather outdoors. Pictured are some of the volunteers, along with Sandy Matches from RONA who helped with the supervision.

It was difficult to get a undistorted picture of this young woman

as she was constantly on the move; no time to stop and pose.

Just getting started

Working together was the key to success

Women have been and are invited to come to an Insulation Installation party starting at 10:00 am on Tuesday, January 10, 2012. It should be fun and the families waiting to move in to the two homes will be very appreciative of the help given.

What to wear: Warm work type clothing with long sleeves and pants, hat or toque. (gloves and masks supplied).

No previous experience needed. Instructions will be given.

Soup and coffee served in the quonset for noon break (also a chance to warm up).

Watch for pictures and a report following the event.

Those driving past the Village site will see fresh new siding on the first duplex. One might not notice the eave troughs and downspouts, but they are there too – thanks to Murray Roofing for making the arrangements to have them done.  The electrical and plumbing has been completed on unit #1 up to the point that insulation can be installed.

The second unit is ready to be wrapped and  have roofing shingles applied.

Everything is in place to proceed with the road paving, and plans are being made to begin work on the landscaping.

Although it may not look like work, these two members of a family selected to become home owners through Habitat for Humanity, are actually responding to a request to take two minutes off from several hours of volunteering at the Habitat Harvest Dinner, Auction and Raffle held on October 23, 2011. Both helped to set up tables, run errands, serve the appetizers, main course dinner and dessert, then clean up, in order to contribute toward the 500 hours of volunteer hours required as a down payment on their home. On an average, it takes 2 years of volunteering to accumulate the needed hours. On completion, and when a home is available, the family is granted an interest-free mortgage from Habitat with payments amounting to 30% (including taxes) of the annual family income. Families are selected on need, ability to make mortgage payments, and willingness to partner with Habitat  (sweat equity).

Family members, relatives and friends are encouraged to contribute toward the 500 hours by volunteering time toward building the home, working at the ReStore, or helping with recycling in either Gibsons, Sechelt or Pender Harbour.

Consider the “DONATE A DOOR” opportunity.

Introduced in October during the Habitat Harvest Dinner, this ongoing program was met with an immediate and positive response. Five (5) front/back doors and eight (8) bedroom doors were given which will be installed  as homes in the Sunshine Coast Village are completed – two of them this year. As the attached brochure explains, small metal plates recognizing the door sponsors will be mounted on the inside edge of the sponsored door.

Donate a Door brochure

The 1st annual Gordon Harmon Memorial Golf Tournament held on Friday, September 9, 2011, donated $5,000 toward the building of affordable housing on the Sunshine Coast. Thanks to all who volunteered to make this event possible and successful, especially to Prudential Sussex Realty in Gibsons and Kenan Mackenzie for the continuing support in fulfilling the Habitat vision– a world where everyone has a safe and decent place to live.