What Meaning of Home Contest has meant to HFHWC

It has been nearly one year since an inspired, opportunistic and creative grade-six student wrote an short story that captured a community and an organization. At the time she put pen to paper, Karson Simpson could never have imagined the impact she would have on the life of a mother of two daughters.

It has been well-documented that this intelligent young woman won the Genworth Financial Canada - Meaning of Home Writing Contest back in January of this year, but what may not be as well known is that her grand prize donation of $60,000 would help the Women Build of Habitat for Humanity Wellington County build a home for Kiran and her two daughters.

The Meaning of Home Writing Contest is back in 2011. One student will effect one Habitat for Humanity affiliate which will effect one community which will ultimately effect the lives of a deserving family. With that said, Some fantastically interesting news has been implemented by Genworth Financial with small changes to their contest. All Habitat for Humanity affiliates and communities will feel a percentage of the overwhelming effect this contest has had on our community and our affiliate as ALL eligible entries will equal in a $5.00 donation to the Habitat for Humanity in their community! If the 6,000 eligible entries are reached it will equal in a $30,000 donation to Habitat for Humanity!
Here are some other need to knows:

What you need to remember:

·         The contest runs October 3 to November 14

·         The essays must be 50 to 300 words long (Shorter essays – easier for the kids)

·         Every entry makes a difference: $5 goes to the local Habitat Affiliate for each eligible entry

·         Entries can be mailed in or submitted electronically

·         You can download a poster from the site here

What else is new and exciting:

There will be a book!  The Meaning of Home will be published in February 2012, featuring the winning essays of the first 5 years of the contest.  Proceeds will be donated to Habitat for Humanity.

2011 My Neighbour's Home - A Whirlpool Canada Production

Well Guelph, it's that time again for Habitat for Humanity Wellington County. We are asking all our volunteers to dust off their steel toe boats and shine up their hammers because another build is right around the corner. That corner being at Elizabeth St. and Huron St.

The 2011 My Neighbour's Home project will be at 28 Huron St. This will be a semi-detached home build that will be starting in the next couple weeks (as of August 15th). By the end of the year, we'll hand over keys to TWO families in the hope of a brighter future.

With that said, this home build would not be possible without the generous donation of Whirlpool Canada. Whirlpool donates an energy efficient refrigerator and range stove to every Habitat home build throughout North America in combination to the Habitat for Humanity home they sponsor in Canada every year. In fact, Guelph is not an unfamiliar community to Whirlpool Canada as this will be their 3rd, yes THIRD Habitat sponsored home built in Guelph. Their first project in Guelph on Morris St. was in 2007 with the second being two years later on Johnston St. in 2009. The appliance manufacturing juggernaut doesn't stop their involvement at the cutting of a cheque, similar to their previous home sponsoring endeavours, Whirlpool Canada will be contributing a volunteer army to the build site. In fact, because Whirlpool Canada is celebrating their 100th Anniversary, their committed to compiling their largest volunteer task force to date; 200 Whirlpool Canada employees will be volunteering for this home project.

Another significant sponsor of this semi-detached home is the Kortright Presbyterian Church. Their significant contribution also makes this home build a reality rather than a pipedream. The Kortright Presbyterian Church led by Senior Minister Alex MacLeod. Irene Light is the Chair of this Faith Build Committee. Check out our Volunteer Hub on volunteer shifts that are available or how your congregation can get involved.

General volunteer shifts will be open to the public at the end of September (after the Whirlpool Canada volunteer army is done kicking butt!), with the exception of some weekends through September that are open. Check out all the available shifts and register (if you're not a registered volunteer yet) right here! It's promising to be an interesting project with several organizations throughout the community extremely interested in getting out of the office and getting into framing, roofing and drywalling. Our Adopt-A-Week/Day programs allows you to do just that! If you are considering a team building exercise for your staff, fellow colleagues or clients, this experience will knock your socks off! It's also a great idea for birthday parties and celebrations!

Fundraising the amounts of the Adopt-A-Week/Day are easy! Utilize our online fundraising software and use Facebook to your advantage. Or, you could run a 3rd party fundraiser at your factory/office/home. Weeks and Days are being filled up as this is typed but you still have time to get your squad in for a week or day. One simple email and we'll get you booked! Here are some teams ready to kick some butt on site:

• Tim Horton's Distribution Group
• OSSTFEA
• Smith Valeriote Law Firm LLP
• Maxxam
• RWDI

You can be part of the 2011 My Neighbour's Home, it's something you don't want to miss!