Reading Week fundraising, building blitz aims at completion of two homes

TORONTO, Feb. 15, 2014 /CNW/ - Post-secondary students from across the GTA will exchange their books and laptops for bricks and lumber next week in support of Habitat for Humanity Toronto's 2014 Reading Week Build. For the fifth year in a row, Habitat Toronto will see some 60 students come together to fundraise and volunteer - this year toward the ambitious completion of two new homes in Toronto's northwest end.

Since 2010, the Habitat Campus Coalition (HCC), a collective of college and university supporters, have mobilized nearly 400 students in support of Habitat Toronto's Reading Week Build campaign. The group last year helped cap a multi-year $80,000 home sponsorship goal by University of Toronto member group Eyes of Hope. This year, instead of heading south with their friends, the HCC hopes to raise $5,000 and blitz to complete two semi-detached Habitat homes to ensure they are ready for families to occupy on March 27.

"The Reading Week Build is one of the most fun ways for post-secondary students to get involved with Habitat Toronto. It's a uniquely hands-on event, involving students not only in the friendly rivalry of fundraising for an important cause, but also in what Habitat does best: building simple, decent, affordable homes for families in need," said HCC Chair Sabnam Islam. "It's something I highly encourage students to do at least once during their studies."

What: 2014 Reading Week Build
Where: 30 Acme Crescent, Toronto ON
When: Tuesday, Feb. 18; Friday, Feb. 21; Saturday, Feb. 22; and Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2014
Fundraising Challenge: $75 per day toward a combined $5000 campaign goal

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

Please visit www.torontohabitat.ca for more information on Habitat for Humanity Toronto.

SOURCE: Habitat for Humanity Toronto

or media requests, please contact: 

Enloe Wilson, Faith & Community Development Officer, Habitat for Humanity Toronto
416.755.7353 x 242, [email protected]

Sabnam Islam, Chair, Habitat Campus Coalition
[email protected]