{"id":13942,"date":"2025-12-01T14:06:32","date_gmt":"2025-12-01T22:06:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.habitatforhumanityokanagan.ca\/?p=13942"},"modified":"2025-12-02T10:27:15","modified_gmt":"2025-12-02T18:27:15","slug":"ceo-message-december-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.habitatforhumanityokanagan.ca\/?p=13942","title":{"rendered":"CEO Message – December 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”823px” custom_margin=”|auto|-66px|auto||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.habitatforhumanityokanagan.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/@jjacob.baileyy_-scaled.jpg” title_text=”@jjacob.baileyy_” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” min_height=”354px” custom_margin=”||-101px|||” custom_padding=”|0px|51px|0px||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_margin=”||60px|||”]<\/p>\n

The highlight of my year happened on the 19th of November, when we held the 2025 Jingle Bell Build. The growth of this event is amazing given its humble beginnings as a photo contest launched during the pandemic. The Laurel Packing House was packed with 26 teams competing for bragging rights and winning of the much converted Gingy Cup. The room was buzzing with creativity and it was a delight to see everyone enjoying the evening. A massive thank you to all our sponsors, teams and suppliers that made this year\u2019s event our most successful to date.<\/p>\n

Now we switch our focus to the online 50\/50. We\u2019ve recently been attending the local Christmas markets (even braving the chilly Farmstrong market) to promote this lottery that last year ended with a total pot of $183,050. We striving to maximize every opportunity we have to set a new record for the December 17th draw.\u00a0 We are currently sitting over $130,000<\/strong> <\/span>with only 13 days left to get your tickets!<\/a><\/p>\n

On the first of November we officially launched our seasonal products across all the stores. In West Kelowna we went the extra mile, the whole top floor became a winter wonderland packed with Christmas trees, garlands, reindeer\u2019s, lights and much more, even I was tempted into making some purchases! The launch was a great success and sales have exceeded our expectations. There is still some very nice product available in all our stores. A big thank you to the volunteers that work on our festive d\u00e9cor year round to ensure we are organized as our shelves fill.<\/p>\n

As we near the end of the year I\u2019m reminded of how important our mission is and the security the families in our program benefit from, enabling them to enjoy the festivities. The strength of your support of our mission to provide affordable home ownership is immeasurable.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s been another busy year for Habitat Okanagan and we\u2019re nearing the time for the team to get a well deserved rest. This year, for the first time in a while, I\u2019ll be spending Christmas with some family members from the UK in a warmer climate. It will be wonderful to share this special time with them.<\/p>\n

Whatever your plans are, I wish you all a very enjoyable holiday season!<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.habitatforhumanityokanagan.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Signature-Andrea-Manifold-CEO.png” title_text=”Signature-Andrea Manifold, CEO” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-47px|98px|-47px||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Andrea Manifold\u00a0<\/strong>
CEO, Habitat for Humanity Okanagan\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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