Habitat for Humanity GTA's Pride Build fundraiser expands to three days!

Participants can build on June 23, 24 or 25

TORONTO, June 9, 2016 /CNW/ - Make Habitat for Humanity Greater Toronto Area (Habitat GTA) part of your 2016 Pride Celebrations! Habitat GTA and Presenting Sponsor TD Bank Group, invite members and supporters of the LGBTA communities to take part in the annual Pride Build fundraising event, now in its third year in the GTA.  Due to popular demand, Pride Build has been expanded for 2016, and will run for three days on June 23, 24 and 25, 2016, from 8 AM to 4 PM.  Special guests at Pride Build 2016 include event emcee Jennifer Valentyne, Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam, and Councillor Gary Crawford.

Over the three days, more than 100 participants will join forces to help build homes for nine families in need of affordable housing at Habitat GTA's Birchmount Road build site in Toronto's east end (357 Birchmount Road). No construction experience is needed for this popular event; Habitat GTA provides training, tools and safety gear, as well as entertainment, meals, and great prizes - including the chance to win two round-trip flights to Hong Kong.

"Pride Toronto has a long history of combining both fun and advocacy and Pride Build does just that," said Ene Underwood, CEO, Habitat for Humanity Greater Toronto Area. "Pride Build offers a fun way for members and supports of the LGTBA communities to come together, spend a day in the sun, learn some new skills (or share existing ones!), and make an important statement about the fundamental human right of a safe, decent, affordable place to live.  With 8% of Toronto households on wait lists for affordable housing, Habitat for Humanity is providing a critically needed alternative for working, low income families to realize a home of their own." 

Each Pride Build participant is committed to fundraising a minimum of $250 toward achieving this year's goal of raising $60,000. Funds raised through this event will go directly to funding the completion of the Birchmount Road home build project. To register for the event, visit www.pridebuild.ca.

The GTA has long been home to some of the world's most renowned Pride celebrations and traditions, bringing together people of diverse backgrounds and sexual orientation to celebrate courage, diversity, community and the defense of human rights.  Pride Builds or "Rainbow Builds" have grown in popularity over the past few years as celebrated annual events hosted by several U.S. Habitat for Humanity affiliates. Habitat GTA introduced Canada's first Pride Build in Canada in 2014.

Habitat GTA's Pride Build 2016 is generously supported by TD Bank (Presenting Sponsor), Fasken Martineau, Norton Rose Fulbright Canada, Hair of the Dog Neighbourhood Pub & Restaurant, and Cubeit Portable Storage.

For more information on Habitat GTA's Pride Build visit www.pridebuild.ca or join in the conversation at #PrideBuild.

About Habitat for Humanity Greater Toronto Area:

Habitat for Humanity Greater Toronto Area (GTA) is a non-profit housing organization working with communities to build homes with local families in need of affordable housing.  By offering zero down payment, no-interest mortgages capped at 30 percent of a family's income, Habitat for Humanity GTA empowers families to achieve stability and self-reliance, so that they can build a better life for themselves and their children. With the support of donors and volunteers, we build homes along with partner families in Brampton, Caledon, Toronto, and York Region, serving two-thirds of the GTA. Since 1988, Habitat GTA has built more than 300 homes in partnership with families. Habitat GTA is one of more than 1,400 Habitat for Humanity affiliates worldwide sharing a common vision and purpose.

Habitat for Humanity GTA also operates 10 Habitat ReStore retail home improvement stores across the GTA, which sell donated, new and gently-used home furnishing and renovation materials at a fraction of the original price. ReStore proceeds go directly toward building Habitat homes while also helping the environment, by diverting thousands of tons of household materials from landfill.

To learn more, follow us on Twitter @HabitatGTA, Facebook HabitatforHumanityGTA or visit www.habitatgta.ca

SOURCE Habitat for Humanity GTA

Carol Davies, Senior Director, Marketing & Communications, Office: 416-755-7353 ex: 259, [email protected]; Karen Lorenowicz, Communications & Public Relations Officer, Office: 416-755-7353 ext. 243, [email protected]