2003 Winter BluePrint

The

WINTER 2003

BLUEPRINT

The Newsletter of the Habitat For Humanity Society of Greater Vancouver _________________________________________________________________________________________

Work Begins on Phase 2

By Tyler Sampson Burnaby – The Habitat for Humanity Society of Greater Vancouver is pleased to announce that work is already underway on Phase 2 of the Government Street project.

So far, the preliminary excavation work has been completed and structural fill has been placed and allowed to settle. The winter weather and overly abundant ground water have caused minor delays in the preparation of the site. The Construction committee is working with consultants to adequately finish the site and move on to the foundations.

Up to date information about the Phase 2 construction and volunteering schedule can be obtained via the volunteer hotline at 604-444-8090 or the Habitat Vancouver website at Excavation of Phase 2. www.habitatvancouver.bc.ca.

Photo by Chris McGill

New Habitat ReStore Opens in Burnaby

By Tyler Sampson Burnaby – Save a buck. Help build a home. That’s the philosophy behind the new Habitat for Humanity ReStore.

The Habitat for Humanity Society of Greater Vancouver opened the first Greater Vancouver ReStore with an Open House on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2002.

Located at 2475 Douglas Road in Burnaby, the ReStore sells quality new and recycled building materials to the general public.

Customers of the ReStore can feel the benefits right in the wallet. These surplus and salvaged materials are a boon to cost-conscious do-it-yourself types.

The ReStore’s other benefits are all

implied in the name: Reduce, Re-use, Recycle and Re-sell.

Generous donations from companies and private citizens make up the inventory of the ReStore. These goods and building materials all end up put to good use instead of premature landfill.

According to Lynn Robb, the ReStore volunteer in-charge of procurement of goods, there is an incredible variety of building goods and materials in the ReStore warehouse.

“This place is like Christmas,” said Robb, “we open the receiving doors and we never know what’s coming in.”

But how does the ReStore help build homes? Each of the twenty-five ReStores across Canada supports a chapter of

Habitat for Humanity. In turn, each chapter of Habitat acts locally to build safe, affordable housing for low-income working families.

To volunteer or donate goods, please call The ReStore at 604-293-1898.

New Habitat Office Space The office of the Habitat for humanity Society of Greater Vancouver has moved! The Habitat Office is now located inside and upstairs at the new ReStore at 2475 Douglas Road in Burnaby. Office hours vary, so if you’d like to come by, please call ahead at 604681-5618.

The Blueprint

WINTER 2003

PUBLISHED BY The Habitat for Humanity Society of Greater Vancouver TYLER SAMPSON Editor Head Writer Layout & Design Photo Editor CONTRIBUTORS Anita Boehm Julie Green Lutz Holfield Chris McGill Jim Morris Catherine O’Connor-Morris ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Adrian Archambault Anita Boehm Dawn Black Simon Gould Heather Ross

Rishbha Bhagi with her winning photo, “Overly Concerned.”

Photo by Chris McGill

Humanity in Pictures

By Chris McGill and Tyler Sampson

CONTACT INFORMATION The Habitat for Humanity Society of Greater Vancouver Office address: 2475 Douglas Road Burnaby, B.C. Mailing address: PO Box 60577 Granville Park Vancouver, B.C. V6H 4B9 Phone: 604.681.5618 Fax: 604.872.0223 Email: habitat@vancouver.ca Volunteer Hotline: 604.444.8090 Visit us online at: www.vancouverhabitat.bc.ca

Vancouver – The Second Annual Habitat for Humanity “Expressions of Humanity” photo contest was recently concluded on November 29th, 2002 with the prize ceremony and exhibit at the Ironworks Gallery in Gastown.

The theme of the Expressions of Humanity photo contest is photographs that have the ability to inspire acts of humanity.

This year’s first place finisher was Rishbha Bhagi with her winning entry “Overly Concerned.” The sixteen-year-old Rishbha has only been an amateur photographer for some six months. She was introduced to photography through a youth photography course available through the University of British Columbia’s Learning Exchange Program.

This year, there were sixty entries in the “Expressions of Humanity” photo contest, a two hundred percent increase over the first year. In addition to first place, there were four more award winners and five honourable mentions.

The Expressions of Humanity photo contest was not just a gallery show, but a fundraiser as well. Entry fees, donations at the door, and proceeds from a silent auction have all gone to the Habitat for Humanity society of Greater Vancouver.

The Expressions of Humanity contest originated in 2001 from the studies of Joe Kelly. Joe, a Ph.D. student at Simon Fraser University, created the contest as a class project. He contacted Habitat Vancouver and pitched it successfully. We’re all grateful to Joe Kelly for not only creating the contest, but for working to continue the project. Thanks again, Joe! Please see Sponsor Spotlight for Expressions of Humanity sponsors.

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WINTER 2003

Sponsor Spotlight ISMAILI WALK Thank you to the Greater Vancouver Ismaili community for partnering with the Habitat for Humanity Society of Greater Vancouver. The 11th annual Ismaili Walk, held in Stanley Park on September 8th, 2002, was a tremendous success. Through pledges and donations, the walkers raised approximately $110,000 for Habitat Vancouver. This makes the Ismaili community the second largest donor in the history of Habitat Vancouver.

Thanks again to the Ismaili community for choosing Habitat. * * * UNNAMED DONOR GIVES $50K Thank you to the very generous corporate donor that just recently gave $50,000 to the Habitat Vancouver Phase 2 Building Fund. The corporation and their charitable foundation have asked to remain anonymous. The significance of this very large donation is only enhanced by the humility and selflessness behind it. Thank you once again. * * * ROOFING CONTRACTORS RAISE MONEY FOR HABITAT The Roofing Contractors Association of British Columbia held their tres chic Christmas Gala on Dec. 7th, 2002 at the Delta Pinnacle. The Habitat for Humanity Society of Greater Vancouver was the beneficiary of the $4275.00 raised during the silent auction. * * * MCAP MORTGAGE MARDIGRAS On July 26, 2002, the MCAP Mortgage Corporation held a Mardi Gras themed fundraiser for Habitat Vancouver. As their guests, they invited the brokers they underwrite.

As part of the festivities, the privilege to dunk company executives

in a dunk tank was auctioned off. The highest single winning bid for one executive was $500. In total, MCAP raised $2,780 for Habitat Vancouver. * * * EXPRESSIONS OF HUMANITY SPONSORS Hearty thanks to the businesses that supported the Expressions of Humanity photo contest by providing prizes and other donations: ABC Photocolour, Best Western Chateau Granville, Best Western Kelowna, Black’s Photography, Burnaby Now, Calhoun’s Catering, Dave Priban Design, Eaglequest Golf, The Georgia Straight, Incendio Restaurant, Ironworks Gallery, Kelowna Golf & Country Club, Labatt Canada, Linda Coe Design, Mission Hill Winery, Ryders, S&T Stereo Printers, Time Frame, The Vancouver Courier, Westin Resort & Spa—Whistler, and Whistler Eco-Tours. * * * BCIT TRAINS HABITAT VOLUNTEERS Thank you to the British Columbia Institute of Technology for their inkind donation of three spaces in a project management course. Thanks also to Tom Kozar, Habitat Board Member-at-Large and Mehran Kiai and Shannon Greke of BCIT Lifelong Learning for making the arrangements.

Brian Amouzegar, Julie Holfield and Lutz Holfield from the Construction committee all completed the project management course and will apply what they learned to the construction of Phase 2. * * * MCAP AND GE CAPITAL PARTNER FOR HABITAT MCAP Mortgage Corporation is helping to bring good things to life in Greater Vancouver with their partnership with GE Capital. For every

mortgage that MCAP underwrote with GE Capital during September and October, a donation was made to the Habitat Vancouver Building Fund.

Altogether, this added up to a donation of $765 into the Phase 2 building fund.

Thanks again to MCAP and GE Capital. * * * HOME OUTFITTERS NOT JUST TABLE TALK Thank you to Home Outfitters and the local celebrities who helped to raise money for Habitat Vancouver through the Home Outfitters “Table Talk” on August 27th, 2002. The Habitat for Humanity Society of Greater Vancouver was pleased to be involved in this event. We look forward to a burgeoning relationship with Home Outfitters.

Recognized personalities involved in creative, lifestyle-oriented fields participated in this event by each decorating a table. They also served as hosts at their table and made themselves available for photos, autographs and informal discussion.

The local personalities who participated were: Jeanette Lee, sculptor; Robert Ledingham, interior designer; Karen Barnaby, executive chef, The Fish House in Stanley Park; Susan Mendelson, owner, The Lazy Gourmet; Darren B. Lamb, morning show host, Z95.3 FM; Liz Bell, international fashion maven; Emanuel Sandhu, Olympic figure skater; Catherine Regehr, fashion designer.

The Habitat for Humanity Society of Greater Vancouver was very pleased to be included by Home Outfitters in the Table Talk event. We are grateful for the $2,650 raised for Habitat Vancouver.

Thank you to the local celebrities who donated their time to the “table Talk” event and thanks again to Home outfitters.

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WINTER 2003

Volunteer Recognition Gloria Levi, Board of Directors, ReStore Gloria Levi could be described as the archetypal Habitat volunteer.

Gloria co-founded the Habitat for Humanity Society of Greater Vancouver and served as Chair of the board of directors from 1998 to 2001. After putting Habitat Vancouver on the path to success with the Government Street project, Gloria began working on her next challenge, The ReStore. The ReStore has been open to the public since 2002, and has been the source of many new volunteer opportunities. In the long term, the

ReStore will be a significant source of funding for Habitat Vancouver.

Gloria is a great an example for the rest of us. Thank you, Gloria!

Alastair Gordon, Public Relations Alastair has done outstanding work this year with the Phase One Home Dedication, the 11th Annual Ismaili Walk for Charity, and the Expressions of Humanity Photo Contest. Alastair has used his many contacts in printing, graphic design and advertising, to obtain a multitude of gifts-in-kind and donations for Habitat. Many thanks, Alastair, for your tremendous work.

Lynn Robb, The ReStore Mr. Lynn Robb has been the new ReStore’s most dedicated volunteer.

He has brought his considerable work experience to bear on the task of collecting inventory for the 10,0002 ft. warehouse. The success of our local Habitat for Humanity ReStore is due largely to Lynn’s dedication and seemingly tireless efforts. Thank you, Lynn!

[Editor’s Note: The ReStore is located at 2475 Douglas Road, Burnaby. To volunteer or donate goods, please call 604-293-1898.]

DONATION NEEDED The Habitat for Humanity office is in need of a heavy-duty paper cutter. They’re looking for the style with the heavy machete-like blade with the fulcrum at the tip. Please call the Habitat Vancouver office at 604-681-5618 and speak to office manager Adrian Archambault.

Volunteer Recruiting Volunteer Committee ON-SITE VOLUNTEER HOSTS AND HOSTESSES The Volunteer committee is looking to put together a team of 8 to 10 volunteer hosts and hostesses to work on the site for regular Saturday shifts.

Duties include: • Working with the site supervisor • Ensuring that volunteers sign the record log and waiver • Equipping volunteers with hard hats and steeltoed boots

Please call 604-681-5618 to inquire about volunteer opportunities.

• Serving coffee, tea and Faith Relations hot chocolate during morning break Habitat Vancouver is looking • Keeping refreshment to put together a new Faith inventory and re-ordering Relations committee for as needed 2003. Typically, each • Keeping the break area committee member will work clean with the faith group about • Answering questions which they have the most from volunteers and knowledge. Accordingly, passers-by Habitat is looking to put On-site hosting is required on Saturday mornings from 8:30am to 12noon, but hosts and hostesses are encouraged to finish the day working as site volunteers.

If you’re interested in on-site hosting, please call the Habitat office at 604-6815618.

together a diverse committee of volunteers so that we can connect with everyone from Anglicans to Zoroastrians.

If you’re interested in working with the Faith Relations committee, please call the Habitat Vancouver office at 604-681-5618.

Gifts in Kind Habitat Vancouver is looking to assemble a new team to solicit and collect donations of building materials and related goods. We need a small, dedicated team of volunteers willing to get out and hustle for Habitat.

Successful In-kind solicitation requires personality, persistence and people skills. Sales experience would be an asset.

Please call 604-681-5618 if you’re interested in working with the Gifts In Kind committee.