A big thank you to all the volunteers that came out to help with our recent bottle drive. With the support of almost 50 volunteers, we raised $5,312 in 4 hours. The total collected, including the Vernon bottle drives, in 2021 is $37,344! That’s a lot of bottles and cans that have been sorted and counted by staff and volunteers, with all funds going to our Lake Country build.
Our ReStores continue to have strong sales and the kitchen salvage program has been a great success. Retail operations are exceeding budgets, we are very grateful for the support we receive from our local communities.
During October we said goodbye to Lesley Phoenix our Vernon ReStore manager, we thank her for the work she did getting this store established and wish her the best of luck in her new role. Tammy Kennedy has taken over the helm there, she has a strong retail background and we are delighted that she has joined the Habitat team.
The Canadian Home Builders Association is a great supporter of Habitat, and they recently held a comedy night tailgate fundraiser in aid of Habitat. In addition, they have also collaborated with Copper Brewing Co. who have created a new beer especially for Habitat! Builders Pilsner is being launched in November with $1 from each 4-pack sold at liquor stores and $1 per sleeve served in their craft brewery on Kirscher Road going to Habitat!
On the build site we have now started framing the second triplex and duplex, our first triplex is nearing completion thanks in part to the progress made by the many team builds we have hosted in the last couple of months.
On the last weekend of October, we invited our new Habitat families to a thanksgiving dinner, giving them the opportunity to meet other families that will be moving into the Lake Country homes. For some this event was the first occasion they have met their neighbours. It was very heart warming to see these new relationships forming and children playing together and having lots of fun.
I am excited to announce that on the 8th of November we will be launching our popular annual gingerbread event. The theme for this year’s campaign is the Jingle Bell Build. This event will run to the 17th December with the winners announced on 20th December. We have great prizes, the first prize for the individual/family entry is a Nintendo Switch game consul and for the winning team entry a 55” Smart TV. Full details on how to enter will be available on our website very soon. We are delighted to have several local businesses signed up as our sponsors for this family-friendly fun event!
We have lots still going on as we enter the last couple of months of this year!
