The Builder – Fall 2025
Habitat Manitoba Teams up with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Habitat for Humanity Manitoba officially teamed up with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers to help build a house, and we invited the community to join us!
74 participants were part of an exciting experience, schmoosing and sharing stories with Winnipeg Blue Bombers players while giving back to the community.
On October 1, participants met with Cam Lawson and on October 2, Tony Jones was there for a meaningful day of building, teamwork and community.
This partnership offered an exclusive opportunity for individuals, organizations, corporations, businesses, community members, and leaders to come together and make a meaningful impact on local families. We were proud to build homes, hope and lasting relationships with Winnipeg Blue Bomber fans and philanthropists.
Each participant received a limited-edition Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Habitat Manitoba co-branded t-shirt, we able to mingle and have players sign memorabilia, and they were also treated to a delicious BBQ generously provided by Wade Miller, President and CEO of The Winnipeg Football Club.
Even though the Bombers House Build days are over, there’s still time to donate to the Bombers House Build. Help us reach out $100,000 fundraising goal.
October 1 Bombers House Build photos
October 2 Bombers House Build photos
Ride Around the Lake
🚴This year’s Ride Around the Lake brought together 52 dedicated athletes and an outstanding team of support volunteers in Kenora, ON. Together, they cycled, laughed, supported one another, and raised funds to help low-income working families achieve the dream of homeownership and a brighter future for their children.
Despite challenging weather conditions, including rain and frigid temperatures – this incredible team persevered and raised over $500,000 to build two new Habitat homes for local families!
Since its inception, Ride Around the Lake has now raised more than $5 million to help families across Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario build strength, stability, and independence through affordable homeownership.
We are profoundly grateful to:
- Every cyclist who pushed themselves over three unforgettable days
- Our tireless volunteers who made the event run seamlessly
- Our generous sponsors, donors, and the wider community who rallied behind this cause
From September 5 – 7, riders covered more than 300 km and climbed 2,390 meters as they journeyed to Muriel Lake, Rushing River Provincial Campground, and Redditt. Along the way, they experienced challenging weather conditions, breathtaking views of serene lakes, majestic rock formations, and the lush boreal forest of the Precambrian Shield.
This event simply wouldn’t be possible without the incredible generosity of our presenting sponsors:
Qualico, Winnipeg Building & Decorating, Pollard Banknote, Parrish & Heimbecker, Murray Auto Group, Palliser, Bobby Wall Homes & Estates, RBC Dominion Securities, Johnston Group, and RBC.
📸 Photos by Tom Thomson Photography
Together, we’ve made this Habitat Manitoba’s largest fundraising event in history! Thank you for riding, supporting, and believing in a world where everyone has a safe, decent place to live.
Cycle of Hope 2025
From August 5th to 8th, our Cycle of Hope team, consisting of 36 passionate cyclists and 8 dedicated support crew, took on the stunning terrain of Kenora, Ontario, to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity Manitoba.
Over four days, the team rode more than 250 km and climbed 2,035 meters through the rolling hills of the Precambrian Shield. Our routes took us to Longbow Lake, Minaki, and Rushing River Provincial Park, surrounded by rugged rock faces, sparkling lakes, and lush boreal forests. While weather forced the cancellation of our final ride to Redditt, the spirit and camaraderie of the team never faltered.
We are deeply grateful to everyone who made Cycle of Hope 2025 possible – our incredible support crew, every committed participant, our generous sponsors, our donors, and the welcoming communities along our route. Your dedication and generosity helped us exceed our fundraising goal, raising over $120,000 to build a new home for Billamena and her family.
A heartfelt thank you to our Presenting Sponsors:
Woodcock Cycle Works
Specialized Bicycles
Keewatin Patricia District School Board
Northern Meat Services
Prolex Media
Tetro Designs
And our Supporting Sponsors:
Tom Thomson Photography
P.U.F.F. Fire Hall & Pellatt Community Centre
Canadian First-Aid Training
Minaki Community Centre
Milltown Hutterite Colony
Beaver Bus Lines
TransCanada Brewing Co.
The Boathouse Waterfront Eatery
CN Rail
World of Water
The Toy Lady
Together, We Pedal for Change
Thank you for helping make Cycle of Hope 2025 an unforgettable experience. Your support builds more than homes, it builds hope, community, and brighter futures. Here’s to many more rides, challenges, and triumphs ahead!
📸 Photos by Tom Thomson Photography
Three More Families Move into Pandora Avenue West
On Thursday, September 25, we gathered in joy and gratitude to celebrate another three incredible families who now have a safe, stable place to call home at our Pandora Avenue West development. These Key Ceremonies are the beginning of new chapters filled with hope, security and community.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to IJL Since 1937, the Ride Around the Lake athletes, sponsors and donors and The Dufresne Group for making dreams become reality.
Your generosity, dedication, and belief in the power of affordable housing have made this day possible. Because of you, these families can build their futures with confidence and pride.
Brandon Chapter Key Ceremony
At the end of August, we proudly celebrated a heartfelt Key Ceremony for two deserving families. Alyssa and her children, along with Amadou, Miliangel, and their children, officially received the keys to their new homes. It was a joyful day filled with gratitude, as families, friends, generous donors, sponsors, and our incredible volunteers came together to share in this special milestone.
Adding to the excitement, Brandon University Bobcat national volleyball champion Tom Friesen and mascot Bailey had the honour of presenting the keys to the families. The Brandon University Bobcats selected the Brandon Chapter as one of the beneficiaries of the BU BIRT Cup — their annual golf tournament fundraiser that supports both local charities and Bobcat athletes.
We’re excited to watch these families grow and thrive as they build a strong, supportive community on Franklin Street. And we’re already looking ahead to the next phase of development underway on Stickney Avenue. Since breaking ground on Franklin Street in 2018, 19 families have moved in — a testament to what we can achieve together.
Because together, we’re building more than houses — we’re building hope.
Take Me Out to the Ball Game
On Friday, August 8, Virgin 103 FM’s Chrissy Troy and Producer Amber spent a wonderful evening at the Winnipeg Goldeyes baseball game with Jacq and Asher – Habitat Manitoba’s Women Build 22nd sponsored home for this Mother and son duo. Jacq and Asher will receive the keys to their new home in the Pandora Avenue West development very soon. Asher threw out the first pitch and did an incredible job!
Habitat Manitoba’s Women Build program helps build and finance safe, affordable homes in Winnipeg, while working alongside the individuals and families who buy them.
Under the guidance of construction professionals and experienced Women Build crew leaders, volunteers develop their building and leadership skills through hands-on experience at a working construction site. Women Build welcomes people of all genders and backgrounds.
Manitoba’s Women Build program was established in 2005 and has constructed 21 homes to date. The Women Build committee hosts multiple events throughout the year to raise the funds needed to construct an affordable home for a working family to purchase.
We are pleased to report that the Women Build committee and the Build a Future Campaign, and their supporters have raised $153,157 to date. The committee are still continuing to raise money through the Holiday Wine Raffle. You can find details below!
Volunteer Blitz Build
From August 12-19, we hosted the Volunteer Construction Blitz Build where we welcomed 75 volunteers, and 15 crew leaders and staff members who came together to build for five consecutive days in a row. It was an unforgettable week of hope, hard work and human connection.
Each day on the build site was filled with energy and purpose, as volunteers came together to bring a new home and a new beginning to life. Every nail hammered, every board lifted, and every window set into place brought us one step closer to making a family’s dream a reality.
Working side by side over five powerful days, we witnessed friendships form and a true sense of community take root. By the end of the week, it was clear: this wasn’t just about building walls and roofs-it was about building something much deeper.
Volunteers stepped into all kinds of tasks—from framing and sheathing to flooring and installing doors and windows. They even raised a wall for the entire length of a five plex unit!
And no matter the job, each contribution built more than a house—it built hope. We’re deeply grateful to everyone who gave their time, energy, and heart to this special week.
Together, we didn’t just build a home—we built a future.
Giving Tuesday
This Giving Tuesday on December 2 – consider a gift to our “Help Build a Home Campaign”
Join us at the Habitat ReStore located at 60 Archibald as we rally together to help build safe, affordable homes for local families! Our fundraising goal is $30,000.
This amount will help cover key construction materials like lumber, windows, doors, and drywall for a Habitat home – giving one family a safe and stable place to call home.
Chrissy Troy from Virgin 103.1 FM will be broadcasting LIVE on-site from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Come say hi and be part of the excitement!
Everyone who comes into the ReStore on December 3 between 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. will receive a 20% off Habitat ReStore coupon. If you can’t make it to the Habitat Archibald ReStore, please consider making an online donation.
Let’s build hope this Giving Tuesday — together we can make a lasting impact!
(Please note: In accordance with CRA guidelines, donors may select either a tax receipt or a coupon, not both.)
Hands-on Help
A big thank you to MacMor for providing $16,200 worth of safety gloves for our volunteers. From general purpose to cut gloves, each pair will ensure our volunteers can work safely as they build hope in our communities. With hundreds of volunteers contributing their time throughout the build season, gloves are a vital part of keeping everyone safe and productive on site.
Canada Post Strike
The ongoing Canada Post strike is slowing donations that help Habitat for Humanity Canada continue building affordable homes for families across the country.
You can help keep the momentum going by giving online at habitat.mb.ca. Your secure donation ensures we can continue supporting families like Diana’s — who went from working four jobs to pursuing medical school, all thanks to the stability of a Habitat home.
Together, we can make sure no family has to wait for hope.
Upcoming Events
Women Build Wine Raffle
Starts: Saturday, November 1
Draw Date: Thursday, December 11
Prizes: 102 bottles – Total Value over $1,500
1st prize: 48 assorted bottles (estimated $765 value)
2nd prize: 24 assorted bottles (estimated $385 value)
3rd prize: 12 assorted bottles (estimated $195 value)
3 bonus draws: 6 bottles (estimated $100 value each)
Tickets on sale soon
