Habitat for Humanity build co-ordinator Peter Sanderson promised Torry and Sons Plumbing and Heating Build Day volunteers sore muscles and big grins.
They got just what they were promised — and were delighted for it.
Over three recent Saturdays, Torry and Son’s employee volunteers were at the Habitat for Humanity site on Piercy braving the rain, wind, mud and a little sunshine to assist in the construction of the duplex units slated for occupation soon by six lucky families. To date, the Torry and Sons volunteers have clocked over 60 hours of donated time to the project.
Some of the volunteers would usually be working in the offices of Torry and Sons and some are Red Seal-certified skilled trades working in the field for the company throughout Vancouver Island. Together they laced up steel-toed boots and donned hard hats to dig ditches, lay piping, erect scaffolding, nail on insulation and prepare for the next phase of construction.
As well as the staff volunteering their time and muscles to the project, Torry and Sons has donated additional skilled labor and materials to install plumbing in two units as well as install ducting and heat recovery ventilators in two units.
Heating suppliers Carrier, Nu-Air, and Goodman/Amana generously offered free or nearly free HRVs for the project while plumbing partner Andrew Sheret secured tubs and faucets through their supplier, Hytec.
In total, the value of the Torry and Sons donation of volunteer time, skilled labor/material donation and supplier provided equipment tops $16,000.
“Generous community-based partnerships such as this one between Torry and Sons and Habitat for Humanity are key to the success of delivering on our mission to eliminate substandard housing on the Island and around the world,” says Tom Beshr from Habitat for Humanity. “Thank you to everyone at Torry and Sons for the leadership and vision that you have demonstrated, to make our community a place that provides for those who are prepared to help themselves.
"We cannot achieve the building of these homes without the amazing support from Torry and Sons and the rest of our community. Our goal is to get our first family into their home before Christmas.
"This family has been working hard towards realizing their dream of home ownership for over five years and we want to make this Christmas one they will always remember.”
As discovered by the Torry and Sons team, sore muscles and big grins have been definitely delivered, as promised — and are being worn very proudly as a Habitat for Humanity badge of honour.
To help Habitat for Humanity, visit www.HabitatNorthIsland.com or call 250-334-3777. For more information on Torry and Sons, go to www.torryandsons.com or phone 250-338-8865.
— Torry and Sons Plumbing & Heating