Hat's Off to You!

Volunteer Appreciation Celebration!
Thank you to all of the Habitat volunteers who have helped out on the build, in the ReStore, on committee’s, at special events, and in the office. All Habitat volunteers are invited to celebrate their selfless efforts for 2009 at a party held in their honour. The celebration takes place November 30th from 5:30-7:30pm at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore where a wine and cheese will be served along with live music accompanying plenty of live chatter and fond memories from this past year.

A group of Dedicated ReStore Volunteers
When I asked Ronnie what he likes about volunteering at the ReStore, he said “It’s fun here!” Ronnie is part of a team from Work and Social Opportunities Inc.(WASO), a Winnipeg based organization that helps adults living with intellectual disabilities, that volunteers in the ReStore. WASO has been volunteering two hours each week for the past two years responsible for a general clean up of the store. I met with Ronnie, Christopher, and Donald Willms, the WASO support staff member who accompanies the eager volunteers. “Volunteering at the ReStore is a fantastic opportunity” said Donald, “It is a different volunteer opportunity than we usually get. It’s a unique store – a thrift store for building supplies. We always feel very appreciated.”



Pictured here is Ronnie, Donald, and Christopher.
Missing from the group is Kosty and Marda.

Brenda Mulvaney, the HFHW’s ReStore Manager, had this to say “I am so thankful for WASO’s ongoing commitment to Habitat. We look forward to the days they are scheduled to come – I just adore them!.”

7th Annual House Party and Auction
On Saturday, November 7th Paris, France came to Winnipeg. Nearly 500 supporters experienced the auction and gala dinner at this year’s themed event, ‘un soir à Paris’ at the Winnipeg Convention Centre. The grand prize draw was a trip to Paris, France (including an apartment for a week) which had balloons popping throughout the evening every time a ticket was purchased. The live auction was led by the highly entertaining Emcee and Auctioneer, Ace Burpee who injected much laughter and frivolity during the course of the event. Many enthusiastic auction winners walked away satisfied knowing that all proceeds from the fabulous evening went in support of Habitat for Humanity Winnipeg and its goal to help eliminate poverty housing.

Thank you to Johnston Group who was the event’s Gold Sponsor, and to everyone who supported the event – we raised $54,000!



Emcee Ace Burpee auctions off a five dollar bill for $350.00!
No More Payments!
Congratulations to two Habitat families for completing their final mortgage payments. Jose and Maria purchased their home in 1992 and made their final monthly payment in October 2009. Angela moved into her new home in 1991 and paid off her mortgage also this past October.

Comedy for Habitat for Humanity
The Cross-Eyed Rascals, an improv comedy group are long time supporters of Habitat. They held a fundraiser for HFHW in May called Nepal-itan Ice Cream which raised $135.00, and have another show scheduled for December 6th. Thank you for your creative fundraising!

HMCS Winnipeg Sailors Come Ashore to Help
Build Habitat Homes
Thanks to our brave sailors who recently returned from a seven month posting in the waters off the coast of Somalia. HMCS Winnipeg has recently deployed their sailors to do community work around Winnipeg and fortunately Habitat for Humanity Winnipeg was one of their chosen charities. Building homes is quite a bit different than dealing with pirate ships, but the sailors took to their hammers with ease. A big thank you for your services in our community and abroad!