7 ways the new home industry gave back to the community in 2015
By Lucas on Dec 18, 2015
Homebuilding has become so much more than simply building houses and towers. It’s about establishing and supporting strong communities. Throughout 2015, builders, developers, and other new home industry members have contributed to the communities in which they’re building in a variety of ways, and we want to share a few examples with you.
We can’t possibly know of or list all the different ways that the industry gave back to the community this year, so we’ve selected a few highlights (listed in random order):
1) Summerhill Homes supporting youth in Orillia
(L-R) Judith Cox, Deputy Mayor, Severn Township; Frank Reiss, Partner, West Shore Beach Club; Sal Ruscica, President, Summerhill Homes; Evan Kosiner, Co-Founder, Skate to Great; Mike Burkett, Mayor, Severn Township
This initiative actually began in late 2014, when Summerhill Homes teamed up with Skate to Great to collect used and new skates and hockey equipment for children living in poverty in Orillia. At the beginning of 2015, Summerhill Homes presented two barrels of winter gear to Skate to Great, giving hundreds of children the opportunity to take part in winter activities.
2) Builder Baseball: Running bases for Habitat
In June, 27 teams of industry members competed in a baseball tournament and raised $39,000 for Habitat for Humanity GTA. A few builders and developers that were either sponsors, participated, or both, included Arista Homes, Aspen Ridge Homes, Ballantry Homes, Brookfield Residential, Eurodale Developments, Fieldgate Homes, Lindvest, Monarch, OPUS Homes, Sorbara Group, Stateview Homes, and Tribute Communities.
3) BILD’s three marquee events for Habitat
BILD BBQ 2015
In one week in July, BILD held three annual events; the 6th Race for Humanity, their industry BBQ, and Stephen’s Ride for Humanity. During that week, BILD and industry members raised $60,000 for Habitat for Humanity GTA. Since 2003, BILD members have raised over $800,000 for Habitat and have helped 12 families in need become homeowners.
4) Reid’s Heritage Homes’ charity home decor sale
In September, Reid’s Heritage Homes invited the public to their head office in order to browse a “garage sale” of home decor items. The majority of the items served as model home furniture and some of it was donated. 100% of the money raised was donated to the Caring for Little Kidneys Campaign at MacKids. This campaign is aiming to build a new Children’s Nephrology Clinic at McMaster Children’s Hospital.
5) Kylemore Kares Golf Tournament
The Kylemore Kares Golf Tournament is an annual event that has taken place every summer for the last eight years. This year, 200 golfers, consisting of Kylemore partners, clients, trades, and colleagues, took part in the tournament. 100% of the money raised at the tournaments goes to local charitable organizations and other programs, mostly in Markham. As of this year, the Kylemore Kares Golf Tournament has raised over $1 million for local organizations. This year, Kylemore also hosted their 18th annual Angus Glen community barbecue (top image) and collected toys for children in need across York Region during their holiday party.
6) Geranium Homes’ food drive in Stouffville
When Thanksgiving rolls around, Geranium Homes collects non-perishable food items for the Whitchurch-Stouffville Food Bank. Geranium touches base with all of their Stouffville contacts, including residents, trades, suppliers, and others to donate food to the Food Bank. This year, truck loads of food were donated!
7) Branthaven Homes celebrates the holidays at the YWCA Hamilton
Earlier in 2015, Branthaven Homes restored 65 rooms at the YWCA Hamilton, as well as the corridors and common areas. This was a month long process and a $400,000 initiative. Later in the year, President of Branthaven, Steve Stipsits, decided to check in on the YWCA and discovered that they were not doing anything special to celebrate the holidays. So, 10 Branthaven team members visited the YWCA for an afternoon to decorate the common areas, organize some crafting, and enjoy hot chocolate and other treats!
The events and initiatives listed above are just a few ways that the new housing industry gave back to the community in 2015. To all those who contributed in some way, we send out a big thank you, and we hope we can all continue to make a huge difference throughout 2016!
