There has been a lot of activity at 70 Arlington Dr. over the last few months as fewer than expected workers put in longer hours to try to keep the Habitat for Humanity build on schedule.
There has been a lot of activity at 70 Arlington Dr. over the last few months as fewer than expected workers put in longer hours to try to keep the Habitat for Humanity build on schedule.
The build site of the new Habitat neighbourhood has many workers on the job and there are several homes that should be ready within months, with the rest completed by next spring.
Organizers had hoped to have as many as 900 volunteers this month alone but site superintendent Sean Reis said that the tally so far isn’t bad.
“Anywhere from 40 to 50 people per day would be ideal,” he began, adding that normally there are 30 volunteers on site each day. “It’s been a really good challenge and the community seems to be accepting us more and more. So far, so good.”
“This is kind of an unusual month where we do have a couple of days where we’re getting 40 or 42 volunteers. This is kind of an anomaly but I’m not going to complain.”
He stressed that the lower-than-hoped-for number of helpers is far from an ideal situation but they are making do and keeping the project on track.
“We’re trying to keep pace. We’re putting in longer hours and we’re getting assistance from other contractors who are coming in and giving us a hand. We are a little behind – I’d say a couple of weeks – but nothing too severe.”
Volunteers can register with Habitat for Humanity online at www.hfh.org. Group volunteers should contact Louise at [email protected] or 780-451-3416 ext. 222. Group sizes can vary from five to 25 people per day. Shifts run Tuesdays to Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 pm. No minimum number of shifts is required.
The Edmonton office of the international housing relief organization also hosts regular one-hour volunteer information sessions. These run on the second Saturday of every month. They aren’t mandatory but do provide an opportunity to find out more about the program.
Participants can sign up by contacting Shefali Khoja at 780-451-3416 ext. 234 or [email protected].
Last year alone, volunteers in the Edmonton area contributed 11,000 shifts totaling more than 85,000 volunteer hours.
Habitat for Humanity Edmonton is also putting on its seventh annual golf tournament on Wednesday, Sept. 5 for those who want to help but can’t contribute to any of its current or upcoming builds. More information on this event can be obtained by calling Kate Somerville at 780-479-3566 ext. 251 or via email at [email protected].
