Habitat for Humanity Brampton turns over the keys to new home

Brampton family realizes the dream of homeownership

BRAMPTON, ON, June 16, 2012 /CNW/ - Habitat for Humanity Brampton today handed over the keys to a new home on Hoskins Square in Brampton to Jose and Mary Ruth Piccio and their four children at a ceremony that included Dream Come True home sponsors BDO in Mississauga and Gordon Food Service, along with local politicians.

"Today, we've been able to give a hand-up to the Piccio family to help them attain the dream of homeownership," says Thomas Fischer, Executive Director, Habitat for Humanity Brampton. "This is the culmination of all of the hard work that 200+ companies and more than 600 volunteers that have dedicated their efforts towards the construction of this home."

The  Piccio family are looking forward to moving into the new three storey, four bedroom, 1,200 square foot energy efficient home, which is quite different from the two-bedroom apartment they're currently in. The house, designed by Ottawa-based architectural firm 25:8 Research + Design, incorporates a variety of energy efficient features to make homeownership even more affordable.

"We had dreamed about owning a home but didn't know how to achieve it," says Jose Piccio. "Habitat Brampton gave us a solution and it's a very special time for our family. My wife jokes that, with the extra space in this new home, it will be nice to not have any of my tools or the kids toys in the living room."

Dream Come True Sponsors Gordon Food Service and BDO's Mississauga office each contributed in excess of $80,000 towards the building of the home and staff assisted with the construction.

"Our firm is proud to be a part of this celebration," says Peter Campbell, Managing Partner of BDO's Mississauga office. "Employees and clients of our firm worked very hard last summer to help make a family's dream come true. The aptly-named 'dedication' of this home is a symbol of BDO's commitment to making a difference in the communities we serve. We wish the Piccio family many happy years in their new home."

"We've really enjoyed the experience of working with Habitat in Brampton and are very pleased to see the results," says Frank Geier, President of Gordon Food Service in Canada. "The experience in Brampton has been so positive that we've now engaged with Habitat for Humanity in Calgary and Nanaimo, BC, to help other families in those communities, where our staff work."

Key officials and members of the community were on hand for the key dedication ceremony, including Brampton Mayor Susan Fennell, Brampton West MP Kyle Seeback and Regional Councillor Elaine Moore.

Habitat for Humanity Brampton is actively looking to find families for the homes it is building over the next 10 years as it has launched a campaign to build 36 homes over the next 10 years. Habitat Brampton built their very first home in Brampton back in 2004.

Habitat for Humanity Brampton helps qualified families to improve the quality of their life by offering a 0% mortgage with no down payment, in return for 500 hours of sweat equity (contributing time and effort to the building of the home or supporting Habitat).

About Gordon Food Service
Gordon Food Service started out as a butter-and-egg delivery business in Michigan more than a century ago. Today, they are the largest family-owned broadline foodservice distributor in North America.  In 1994, Gordon Food Service entered the Canadian market with the purchase of Maple Leaf Foodservice in Ontario and Quebec.  Since then, Gordon Food Service has acquired many of the finest regional distributors across the country and has developed into one of the largest foodservice providers in Canada.

About BDO Canada LLP
BDO is one of the leading accounting and advisory firms in Canada with 90 years of experience providing value-added assurance, accounting, taxation and advisory services to a broad range of clients. With a national team of more than 3,000 partners and professionals, we build strong relationships with businesses and communities from Vancouver to St. John's.

About Habitat for Humanity Brampton
Habitat for Humanity's vision is a world where everyone has a safe and decent place to live, and its mission is to mobilize volunteers and community partners in building affordable housing and promoting homeownership as a means to breaking the cycle of poverty.

or to arrange interviews, please contact:

Hugh Black
Public Relations Consultant
Schembri group for Habitat for Humanity Brampton
905-361-7410 ext. 367
[email protected]

Saira Mullick
Marketing and Proposal Manager
BDO Canada LLP
905-272-7825
[email protected]

Heather Connelly
Marketing Communications & Events
Gordon Food Service
1-800-968-7500 x 4230
[email protected]