The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Jonathon Naylor Editor Residents are showing a fledgling non-profit their humanity. The Habitat 53 Chapter of Habitat for Humanity has raised over $7,300 in recent weeks, ending with a successful family concert. 'It was awesome. That's the only word I can come up with,' said Habitat 53 treasurer Kathy McCormick, describing the Coffee House held last Saturday at the Creighton Community Hall. More than 150 people filled the tables at the Coffee House, where a cozy ambiance helped showcase local musicians such as Julian Kolt, Ron Burwash and Brent and Susan Lethbridge. Between ticket sales, draws, cash donations and sales of t-shirts and baking, the evening raised just over $2,000. It was announced during the evening that Habitat has also received a $3,000 donation from the Flin Flon Horticulture Society and $2,300 from The Unwinder. The Unwinder had hosted a 'white party' the previous week to help support Habitat 53's goal of building a new home for a low-income family. See 'Six...' on pg.11 Continued from pg.7 Saturday's Coffee House replaced a fundraiser of the same name that used to be held by the now-defunct Northern Pregnancy Care Centre. 'I know the Coffee House has been a good fundraiser and I'm really glad that we have taken it over as ours,' said McCormick. 'Being the new group we didn't know if we would have the same followers to the Coffee House, but people came and we were very, very pleased.' For an organization that is less than seven months old, Habitat 53 has enjoyed high levels of community support. McCormick said six families have applied to purchase the first home, which is to be built on Green Street beginning next spring. Future Habitat 53 fundraisers include a possible Christmas draw and a tea early in the new year. There are also plans for a donation checkstop on Third Avenue, similar to the fire department's annual Boot Drive, in late April or early May. While the fire department uses a firefighter's boot to collect coins and bills from passing motorists, Habitat 53 will, fittingly, use a mail box. As well, the Habitat Restore at the former armoury site will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the next two Saturdays. It facilitates the donation and sale of building supplies and household items. Habitat 53 will help lower-income residents own their own home, but contrary to a common misconception, it is not a giveaway program. Homebuyers will require no down payment and pay no interest on their mortgages. Mortgages can stretch into the decades and are based on 25 per cent of a household's gross income. The internationally renowned Habitat for Humanity has been in Winnipeg since 1987 and is now expanding into smaller communities throughout Manitoba. Habitat 53 will enjoy plenty of support from the provincial head office, which provides almost half of the cash needed to build homes. Homes are constructed by a combination of hired tradespeople and volunteer workers. And while tradespeople often donate labour or materials, Habitat never assumes it will receive such aide.
