Habitat for Humanity Vancouver Island North (Habitat VIN) is on track to complete eight affordable homes this year. In order to incentivize the community to support Habitat VIN’s work, three local businesses have partnered to match donations made to the non-profit until Dec. 31.
Last year, Christoph Real Estate Group and Robbins and Company, CPAs joined together to match donations to Habitat up to $5,000. Thanks to overwhelming support from the community they were able to exceed that goal. This year Fresh Coast Investments Inc. has joined the campaign, increasing the potential match to $7,500. That means Habitat has the opportunity to raise an additional $15,000 towards their affordable homeownership program by the end of the year.
“To build affordable homes, we need land, certified carpenters and new building materials. That all has real costs attached,” explained Pat McKenna, Habitat VIN’s executive director. “We know our supporters are more inclined to give when their impact will be doubled.”
The teams at Christoph and Robbins were both eager to champion Habitat’s mission for a second time. As parents in the business of real estate, Jakob and Jasmen Christoph recognize the importance of homeownership in a young family’s life, and wanted to support a cause that helps make it attainable.
“The Comox Valley is a great place to live,” said Daryl Robbins of Robbins and Company. “Habitat helps make that a reality for their families. We are proud to support such a great organization and cause.”
Aaron Bellmore of Fresh Coast Investments Inc. has been supporting Habitat for Humanity through the Real Estate Investment Network for over seven years.
“Being back in the Comox Valley makes it even more personal for me,” explained Bellmore. “I am proud to be in a position where I can help, especially in my hometown. I feel homeownership [can be] a catalyst to many other successes in life. Housing is a necessity and if I can help people at any stage to improve their situation, we will have more people capable of helping others.”
In June four more families, two in Courtenay and two in Campbell River, moved into their Habitat homes. On Dec. 5 at 10 a.m., another four Courtenay families will receive their keys in a public ceremony at Habitat’s 1330 Lake Trail Rd. construction site.
To learn more about Habitat VIN’s current projects, and to make a donation that will be matched, visit habitatdonate.com.