Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit housing organization that enables families to participate in home ownership. Through donations of money and materials, Habitat for Humanity volunteers, build homes for families that otherwise would not be able to afford a home. In order for a family to be selected as potential homeowners, they need to meet the following criteria: housing need, ability to pay and willingness to partner. More information on this criteria can be found here.
Every piece to this puzzle is managed by volunteers, many hours, sweat and tears happen in order to make all the builds successful. This is something Glory Westwell, Chair of the North Okanagan Habitat for Humanity Chapter, knows well. Glory has been volunteering with the organization for over 10 years, and this year’s build, a triplex complex on East Hill in Vernon, hits a little closer to home for her as the build is in honor of her late husband, Paul Westwell. Paul was also an active volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, serving many years as the Treasurer.
Helping deserving families receive new, affordable and safe housing is something Glory feels passionate about. She says, “It’s so gratifying to see the faces on the family when you hand them the keys to their new home…builds are 100% run by volunteers, they work extremely hard, all because they believe in Habitat.” Volunteers get to know the families well as each family must provide 500 hours of sweat equity into their homes or homes of others.
Habitat for Humanity volunteers also organize many community events throughout the year, raising funds and awareness along the way. Predator Ridge Resort and community has been exceptionally supportive in hosting many of these events including; bottle drives, a fun run and the increasingly popular Oktoberfest. Every Saturday, after a long weekend, volunteers organize an almost monthly bottle drive. The bottle drive this past Saturday raised over $1,300! Gerry Fester, a long-time Westwood employee, faithfully volunteers at these bottle drives while providing the use of a Westwood truck and trailer to haul the many bottles to the bottle depot. Gerry also organizes storage space use, at our head office warehouse, for the local Habitat for Humanity Chapter. The next upcoming event is the Habitat for Humanity Fun Run, taking place this Saturday, July 15th. Also, mark your calendars for Sept. 25th, Habitat’s Annual Oktoberfest. More information on events can be found here.
Westwood strongly believes in corporate social responsibility, promoting community involvement and support through sponsorship, donations, volunteering and more! For information on our involvement in community events across Western Canada, please visit our Facebook or LinkedIn pages, as well as the news section on our website.
