With the cost of building materials increasing, the Moose Jaw chapter of Habitat for Humanity hopes an upcoming fundraiser will raise additional money for its current project.
The 2021 virtual Run for Home occurs Sunday, Aug. 1, to Sunday, Aug. 15. Participants can choose to complete the event at their own pace and whenever, wherever and however they like. This includes indoors on a treadmill, outdoors on a path, or by bicycle, canoe, kayak, or even by swimming.
The minimum distance that Habitat for Humanity is encouraging people to go is five kilometres, but participants can turn it into a longer marathon if they wish.
Money raised will support the current build at 1015 Ominica Street East and help two young families achieve homeownership.
This development was estimated at more than $300,000, including site preparation, servicing and home construction. However, due to increased supply prices, the organization anticipates that it will cost $500,000 to finish the build.
“We did a virtual run last year that people had a lot of fun with,” said Donna Watts, chapter lead with Habitat for Humanity. “It’s been a pretty tough year for fundraising, and it’s been a pretty tough year for increased costs for the build. So, between the combination of the two, we have to look at some different fundraising initiatives, and a virtual run seems to be relatively safe.”
Participants can complete the event anytime from Aug. 1 to 15, or they can head to Wakamow Valley on Aug. 7 and 14 during the farmers’ market, register at the Habitat table, and complete the run before returning for a medal.
People who complete the event on their own can pick up their medals at the farmers’ market or have them mailed.
Habitat for Humanity is offering people four options in which to participate in the virtual run.
The youth option lets youths take part wherever they live. They can walk/run/bike/kayak/canoe/hop any distance they choose. They will later receive an e-certificate by email.
The cheering squad lets people support participants from the sidelines. This is a good option for grandparents cheering on their grandchildren.
The “certified couch potato” is for people who want to sit on their couch, watch TV, and not think about doing anything active. Such participants will receive a “certified couch potato” certificate afterward.
The full registration option is for people who are serious about competing and want an actual medal.
Registration ranges from $16.93 to $54.06. However, participants can add an extra $5 to $10 — “or more if they’re feeling overly generous,” laughed Watts — if they want to donate to the organization.
Build update
Construction of the duplex is going well, while build manager Fern Paulhus has been doing a great job guiding the project even with few volunteers due to pandemic restrictions, Watts said. One prospective homeowner has already given 200 hours of volunteer hours, while some Saskatchewan Polytechnic students are continuing to work even though their original two weeks are finished.
Every Saskatchewan Habitat chapter is seeing increased building materials costs, which is worrisome, she continued.
The homeownership program allows families to purchase a home at fair-market value with an interest-free, zero-down payment mortgage set at 25 per cent of their gross annual income. However, Habitat does not know what effect the increased building-material costs will have on the future appraised values of the homes.
Watts added that Habitat for Humanity is looking for volunteers to join the committee in Moose Jaw to help plan activities and events.
Visit Eventbrite.ca to register for the virtual run or check out Habitat for Humanity’s Facebook page.
