Habitat for Humanity GTA needs 2200 volunteers leading up to Holiday Season

TORONTO, Nov. 5, 2015 /CNW/ - Habitat for Humanity Greater Toronto Area (Habitat GTA) needs 2,200 volunteers to help build Habitat homes across five build sites this holiday season to ensure that 13 Habitat Partner Families can come home in time for the holidays, followed by another 13 families by Spring, 2016.

The campaign, entitled "Home for the Holidays Challenge" running from  November 5^th to December 19^th, will challenge members of the community to give back this holiday season by volunteering their time at one of their five build sites in Toronto, Brampton & York Region. 

"There are few volunteer opportunities as rewarding as swinging a hammer or laying some flooring. All Habitat volunteers know their efforts ensure hardworking, low-income families have safe, decent and affordable homes of their own," says Ene Underwood, CEO of Habitat for Humanity, GTA. "We hope many people across the GTA will step up to help us, and hundreds of other volunteers, build Habitat homes this holiday season – and we have never needed you more!" With 13 homes that need to be completed by year-end, and another ten that must be closed in for winter so volunteers can continue interior work in subzero temperatures, the need is critical.

The "Home for the Holidays Challenge" is meant for anyone 16 or older who wants to buckle up some steel-toed boots and give back to their community. No building experience is required. The campaign makes it easy for volunteers to sign up to build as individuals or with friends. 

The Toronto Maple Leafs, have already stepped up to the challenge to help Habitat complete these homes. Players and members of the management team will take time away from the ice to join Habitat GTA on the build site to help complete homes for GTA families.

"The Toronto Maple Leafs recognize the need for affordable housing in Toronto. We challenge everyone across the GTA to follow suit and help get these families home for the holidays," says Brendan Shanahan, President and Alternate Governor of the Toronto Maple Leafs.  "Everyone deserves a safe and warm place to spend time with their loved ones during the holidays."

This volunteer campaign will culminate with Habitat GTA's Home for the Holidays Dedication events being held in December where volunteers, donors and community partners will officially hand the keys over to these 13 families. Work will continue on another 13 homes at Habitat GTA's Birchmount, McLevin and Torbram sites throughout the winter.

One in five households in Toronto live in overcrowded, substandard or unaffordable housing. If Habitat GTA is unable to complete these homes, many partner families will be forced to endure another cold winter in unsafe or unhealthy conditions. Families like single-mother Sherri Williams and her five children - Alex, Brenna, Sade, Juda and Jada - who struggle on a daily basis living in an unsafe neighborhood, and in a unit plagued with electrical and insulation problems.

Habitat for Humanity Greater Toronto Area believes that everyone deserves a safe, decent and affordable place to call home, especially during the holiday season. Accept the challenge and help low-income, hardworking families come home for the holidays.

Please visit h4hchallenge.ca for more details.  

About Habitat for Humanity Greater Toronto Area

Habitat for Humanity Greater Toronto Area is a non-profit housing organization that mobilizes volunteers and community partners to help hardworking, low-income families break the cycle of poverty through affordable homeownership. Administrative and fundraising costs are paid for by the operation of our ReStore locations. Habitat ReStores sell new and gently-used donated building and household products. Every 5.5 minutes, Habitat for Humanity helps a family improve their housing situation somewhere in the world.

***MEDIA ARE INVITED TO ATTEND AND INTERVIEWS WILL BE AVAILABLE***

Please visit habitatgta.ca for more information on Habitat for Humanity Greater Toronto Area.

SOURCE Habitat for Humanity GTA

Joanna M. Dwyer, Senior Director, Marketing & Communications, Habitat for Humanity Greater Toronto Area, C: [phone] | T: [phone] x 259