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Students create environmental art
sculptures
with recycled and reused materials. |
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| Irena Zenewych, the Visual Arts Instructor for the Arts After School Kids Program is teaching her students to create environmental art sculptures with recycled and reused materials donated from the Habitat for Humanity ReStore. Habitat for Humanity ReStore Manager Linda Moyer recognizes the importance of supporting innovative and interesting ways of engaging youth in environmental awareness activities. This donation is one in a series "Pay it Forward" donations to the local community by the ReStore.
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Kyle Christie from CTV Kitchener donated
Dewalt
tools for Habitat Brant's West Brant build. |
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| The week before Christmas, the staff of Habitat for Humanity and the ReStore
received a surprise visit from Kyle Christie, TV personality at CTV Kitchener. Kyle dropped by to deliver $1000 worth of DeWalt tools on behalf of CTV and DeWalt as part of their Spirit of Giving campaign. The tools are stored away safely for winter and will be used on the spring 2010 West Brant build. Our sincerist thanks to both CTV and DeWalt for this unexpected but much needed Christmas gift.
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Friends of Habitat for Humanity Brant and the ReStore;
January, 2010 |
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The year 2009 was an exciting time of challenges faced and successes achieved for the Habitat Brant ReStore and through it all the staff and volunteers remained confident that we would find a way to reach our goals.
In addition to a slow economic climate, the ReStore was faced with adversity in 2009 as we struggled to financially support the Habitat home building program despite the theft of our cube van, pick up truck and three break and enters at the ReStore. Our luck changed in the summer with the announcement that the ReStore would receive a grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation to defray the cost of a new truck. Additional funds were donated by the Hankinson Foundation, the Kelly Foundation, Primal Roar, Sydenham United Church, Generations Church and Middlekoop Sheet Metal. Our new truck with its’ diesel engine and electronic lift gate is generating savings in fuel costs, has allowed us to expand our recycle program and is much safer for our many volunteers who load and unload the donated materials. The new truck also made a great Gingerbread House at the Brantford Christmas Parade!
ReStore staff and volunteers continued to look for ways to improve the customer service experience with safer, more convenient product display shelves erected at the entrance to the ReStore and newly installed energy efficient lighting fixtures to brighten the shopping experience. With the support of 65 local retailers, manufacturers, contractors and the general public, Habitat was able to provide low-cost building and renovation materials to the 15,300 satisfied customers.
The ReStore reaffirmed it’s commitment to advocate for a healthier environment by participating in both Earth Week and Waste Reduction Week activities to educate and engage the community in our recycle, reuse and reduce goals. Presentations were done at local businesses and networking groups on the benefits of greening in the workplace. Partnerships were developed with the City to increase awareness of the ReStore during the hazardous waste days at the local landfill. The ReStore diverted 267.5 tons of construction and household materials from the landfill by selling gently used materials and recycled an additional 78.5 tons of scrap metal, cans, paper and water bottles.
Our volunteer team expanded with the creation of new partnerships with the Ogemawahj Tribal Council, in addition to established partnerships with Grand River Education and Training program, Laurel College and March of Dimes Labour Ready, Cascade Management, Maidstone Bakeries and co-op partnerships at the high schools, Mohawk, GELA and Laurier. These partnerships were instrumental in allowing us to exceed our volunteer recruitment expectations with 165 volunteers donating 10,100 hours of service at the ReStore in 2009.
In the spirit of “paying it forward”, the ReStore donated product or services to the Brant Food Bank, Help Food Box Program, Adult Recreation Therapy Center, Aboriginal After School Arts program, the local Cadets, the Arts Block and the Eagle Place Community Gardens to name a few.
Most importantly, the ReStore has provided additional funding to support the Habitat affiliate’s house building goals. The completion of two semi-detached homes at Stinson and Stirton Streets has been the highlight of the year, with staff and volunteers working together to build affordable, sustainable and resource efficient homes for four local families.
As Habitat and the ReStore look ahead to 2010, we are confident that with the help of our partners, volunteers, and supporters, we will continue to build more than houses. We will build hope!
Thank you so very much,
Linda Moyer,
Habitat Brant ReStore Manager
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Josh Bean from the Arts Block selects and
loads a donation from Habitat Brant. |
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| The Arts Block are renovating their bathrooms with help
from the community.
Habitat Brant's ReStore donated 4 toilets and two sinks.
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Call 519-759-8600 to
donate to Habitat Brant |
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| At Habitat Brant We Are Always... |
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We look forward to seeing you at the Restore.
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