June 1 (Jun 01, 2016)

Don’t forget Presidents Night June 22 and the bid for the golf foursome is currently at $140.

50/50 draw     Pot was now at $157 and nobody won it.    Those drawn include Kathy Loveys (5 of clubs), Jim Evans (8 of Clubs) and Judy Nairn (10 of Hearts)

Guest Speaker

Jerome F. introduced Karen Redman, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity. (also a member of the Rotary Club of Kitchener)

Habitat is well branded but not always well understood. Though Jimmy Carter made it famous, it was actually founded by Millard and Linda Fuller in 1976. It is a faith based organization but does not proselytize.

Jimmy Carter has been involved in 11 builds and while there is no more “Blitz” building, Habitat will once again host a Jimmy Carter build in Waterloo Region in 2017.

98% of homes are built by volunteer labour and the last three were townhomes due primarily to the high cost of land. They generally build for 6 families per year in Waterloo Region and have now build 120 homes.   The last few were also condo’d (made into condos).   These days affordability is getting to be more and more of an issue and they may have to look at “stack” housing for suture builds.

Habitat serves mainly 1 and 2 parent families with one or two children. These families pay fair market value for the homes plus 250 hours of in-kind contribution building their own home and helping with that of their neighbour. Families contribute 25% of their gross income to pay just the principal and taxes on the houses and they have to look after the rest of the utilities themselves. These house payments are to be made in full and on time as part of their agreement.

Home ownership is very important and studies have shown that children growing up in “owned” homes do better in school and become contributing members of society.

Last year 1,800 Habitat volunteers logged a total of 37,000 hours on the home projects.

They have two Re-Stores in Waterloo region that contribute approx.. $1.7 million to cover the administrative costs of Habitat. Building materials and other goods are donated by individuals or corporate sponsors who receive a tax receipt once their items have sold.   Some national sponsors include Home Depot and Costco.

Karen expressed a need for $75,000 for the upcoming Jimmy Carter build at Keele Street. It could be $15,000 each for the five Kitchener-Waterloo clubs if that was a possibility.   The funds can be paid over time but have to be in before November of 2017.

Habitat works to provide a safe and decent place to live and makes a profound difference in the lives of 6 families per year.

Karen then gave a brief summary of a project previously funded by Kitchener-Westmount.

Neil Aitchison thanked the speaker on behalf of the club.

Ed Simon closed the meeting.