Building Homes for People

Had a great day and what a great cause. Habitat for Humanity is a great organization, especially the PEI branch.


Habitat for Humanity puts politicians to work
Stephen Brun, Journal Pioneer
SUMMERSIDE - Politicians often talk about building communities, and Friday they picked up hammers, saws and drills to do just that.
MLAs, city councillors and staff joined local business representatives at Summerside's latest Habitat for Humanity build site.
The organization's first President's Build Day on P.E.I. is aimed at giving leaders first hand experience of what the project is all about.
"It gets them out from behind their desks and gives them an opportunity to see truly what it is we do at Habitat and it gets them on-site doing the work," said Jim Carragher, board chair of Habitat for Humanity P.E.I. "You don't need a whole lot of experience to make a difference."
Among those participating Friday included MLAs Wes Sheridan, Janice Sherry and Gerard Greenan, police chief Dave Poirier, city councillor Cory Thomas and employees from BMO.
Habitat home recipient Krista Schurman-Marr and her two young sons would be happy to know their new house is in good hands with the province's finance minister.
Sheridan was running his own team of three, including a Summerside high school student and a Katimavik volunteer.
"My wife and I have built a number of homes and we both enjoy that type of thing. It's one of those passions that I have in my off time to pick away at carpentry," Sheridan said. "A lot of people would laugh at my skill level, but I get a lot done."
The walls of the home were raised only one week ago. Siding and drywall have been installed, putting the project ahead of schedule.
While Sheridan seemed to be a natural leader for President's Build Day, others had the chance to learn some new skills.
"I've had a little bit of experience in my lifetime with renovations, but I can't honestly say I've ever built a house," said Community Services Minister Janice Sherry. "I'm basically helping the Gyprocking crew get some sheets up, do some measuring. We did a bit of hauling cement this morning - a little bit of everything."
Carragher said the organization plans to dedicate the home around the beginning of September. Another wall raising is tentatively scheduled for Habitat's first build in Kensington on Sept. 18.
"This project is going like lightening, it's amazing how fast this home's going up," he said. "That's indicative of the people of Summerside - they're phenomenal when it comes to building Habitat homes. Summerside is the model of what Habitat P.E.I. would like to be."

sbrun@journalpioneer.com