Students across Chatham-Kent will have the chance to help build a house for a family in need simply by writing a story about what "home" means to them.
Genworth Canada is teaming up with Habitat for Humanity for the 13th annual Meaning of Home contest. From January 11 until February 18, students in Grades 4, 5 and 6 across Canada are encouraged to submit stories about their versions of home and will be eligible to win up to $25,000 to go towards a Habitat chapter of their choice.
The grand prize will be awarded to one student in each grade with three runner-up prizes in each grade worth $5,000. According to Chatham-Kent Habitat for Humanity executive director Nancy McDowell, students in the municipality have participated in the past and although they've never taken home the big prize, every submission counts.
"Even if a student isn't one of the winners, $10 from every entry will go towards our build fund," McDowell said. "So every single submission is helping us locally."
McDowell said, in the past, students from local schools have made submissions individually and as whole classrooms. She added entries can be submitted online and can be essays, poems, or even videos. McDowell said it doesn't just have to be driven by the schools, but parents can encourage their kids to make submissions as well.
She said each grand prize winner's story will be made into a book.
"It's really interesting to hear to perspectives of children across the country and what home means to them," McDowell said. "Then to see the winners actually get their work published."
She added there will be representatives going around to schools to ask teachers to encourage their students to make submissions. If a Chatham-Kent student was to win, McDowell said the money would go directly to the new build this year in Chatham for a woman who is raising her four nieces and nephews.
"To us locally, that is a good chunk of the money that we need to raise to build a house each year so it means a tremendous amount," McDowell said.
According to McDowell, plans for this year's build are in the final stages of development.
"Pretty soon we will be reaching out and getting our build permit," McDowell said. "Then we will put the call out for volunteers and donations of products, services, any business or trades that would like to participate please just give us a call. We would love to have you signed up and participate in our build this year."
Anyone looking to donate time, money, or products can visit the Chatham-Kent Habitat for Humanity's website or visit the ReStore at 566 Riverview Dr. in Chatham.