Habitat for Humanity Chatham-Kent is doing its part to celebrate Canada's 150th birthday.
The organization completed the frames on a house they are building on Sherman St in Blenheim Saturday. The home is one of 150 that Habitat is building across Canada to celebrate Canada 150. Executive director of Habitat Chatham-Kent Nancy McDowell is happy with the way things started.
"The build is just clicking along," says McDowell. "We suffered a few delays early on because of all the rain, but once we've gotten under way it's just flying now. Over the next week or two, it's going to start looking like a home."
Volunteers worked throughout the day to put the frames in for the doorways, walls and floors. McDowell says they will be ready to move on to the next phase in building the home.
"The trusses will be going on this week and then the roof," says McDowell. "Then we'll be moving inside, starting with insulation and all of the trades, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and then siding outside. Then we just keep going from there."
The home is being built for a local family and is expected to be ready for them to move in by the end of the summer.
McDowell says they are always planning to build homes for qualified families and are willing to walk people through the application process. Families who think they may qualify to have a home built for them are encouraged to come to the Habitat for Humanity Re-Store in Chatham. Volunteers will assess families to see if they are eligible to move forward with the application.
In addition to the Sherman St build, Habitat Chatham-Kent is overseeing a community project. A mural has been created measuring three feet by 16 feet, and pieces of the colour-by-number mural have been distributed across the community for people to colour. The pieces will then be put together with the finished product unveiled during a public barbecue in Blenheim on July 14.
To volunteer at Habitat for Humanity Chatham-Kent or donate to the Re-Store, visit the Re-Store at 566 Riverside Dr in Chatham, call (519) 352-4440 or visit their website.
--with files from Cheryl Johnstone--