I thought I would share the P & G Moms newsletter article about why people like myself and the other amazing ambassadors across the country are giving our time and blogs to this cause. As we move along I will try to provide you with more details about the Vancouver event and any volunteer information I can get. Watch this space.
P&G has partnered with Habitat for Humanity Canada to invest in healthy, happy homes across the country. The three year partnership, which includes a significant contribution of $900,000 and in-kind donations from brands like Tide, Mr. Clean and Swiffer, will provide much-needed support for Habitat builds throughout Canada.
As part of the new partnership, P&G will provide majorinvestment and assistance in Women Build projects in Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal taking place this fall. Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build projects promote the involvement of women in the construction of Habitat homes, with the majority of the planning and execution undertaken by female volunteers.
P&G will also offer cleaning kits to Habitat for Humanity affiliates to help ready the newly built homes for move-in once construction is completed, and will provide welcome baskets packed full of household products like Tide, Swiffer, Mr Clean, Bounty, Febreze, Dawn andCascade to each family moving into their new Habitat home. Habitat for Humanity Canada estimates that its affiliates will build some 300 new homes for partner families in 2014.
In addition to these wonderful initiatives, our very own P&Gmom and mamanP&G bloggers will act as local Habitat ambassadors, encouraging their networks to join the builds this September in Toronto, Vancouver and Lévis. We congratulate our Habitat ambassadors Kerry, Jill, Deborah, Caroline and Jamie for their hard work and efforts so far!
We asked them to tell us what being a Habitat ambassador means to them. Here’s what they said:
Kerry Sauriol – Vancouver P&Gmom Habitat Ambassador
“As a child, my mother and myself found ourselves homeless for a bit, having to rely on the kindness of friends until we could get ourselves sorted out. What passed for affordable family housing in the 70’s in Scotland was not pretty and not conducive to a healthy or safe childhood. Thus, now living in one of the most expensive cities in the world, the quest for DECENT and affordable housing for families is a cause close to my heart. It is a cause that I am passionate about and have used my social media influence to bring to light the many issues in this particular city. The ability to grow up in a safe and welcome neighbourhood with all the amenities should not be just the luxury of the wealthy. Habitat for Humanity is a great cause because not only does it build real homes for people but is a showcase for what that does for a human being and their dignity and their ability to be productive members of our society instead of burdens.”
Jill Amery – Vancouver P&Gmom Habitat Ambassador
“Part of feeling like I am doing a good job as a Mom is making my home safe, happy and healthy for the family. Last year I travelled to Africa and Belize and realized that I am one of the very lucky parents, and that dusty cabinets or squeaky floors are not the biggest concern for most families across the globe. In Canada we may not utilize mud huts or corrugated steel boxes on stilts as our housing, but there are 1.3 million of people who do not have an adequate place in which to raise their children and can’t afford basic necessities. That’s not cool. I am so honoured to be part of a team who will help with a build in Vancouver. Every family deserves happy and stress-free memories, and I am excited to put some heart into their home.”
Deborah Coombs – Toronto P&Gmom Habitat Ambassador
“Last year I signed on for my first experience with a Habitat Women Build, after hearing Mag Ruffman talk it up on Twitter. It sounded like a fun day for a great cause. A safe and secure home in which to raise your family is so critical, and home ownership is so far out of reach for many people, especially here in Toronto with our crazy housing prices. Of course I wanted to help in whatever way I could! The build day was exhilarating and exhausting, and the amazing feeling of 100 women coming together to build homes and hope was truly inspiring. This year I am proud to be able to officially promote the Women Build and spread the word to others to help them get involved. It’s a win for both the families and the participants!”
Caroline Fernandez – Toronto P&Gmom Habitat Ambassador
“Being a Habitat Ambassador is a huge honour. Having the opportunity to help promote the good works of Habitat for Humanity GTA along with actually taking part in building homes for low income families in Toronto…it’s truly an exciting and humbling experience. I feel a home is the foundation of a family and I admire P&G for partnering with Habitat to build affordable and safe homes for families.”
Julie Philippon – Quebec mamanP&G Habitat Ambassador
“After so many years of humanitarian work and collaborations abroad (Ivory Coast, Mexico, Haiti, etc.), I’m honored to have the opportunity to give back to Québec, my province. I personally know a family who received a house from Habitat from Humanity, and witnessed the incredible impact on the quality of their lives.”
Will you be in Vancouver, Toronto or Lévis this September? Interested in joining a Habitat Women build?
Let us know and we’d be happy to connect you with one of our Habitat ambassadors to sign you up. As a part of the partnership, we have spots available for our P&Gmom and mamanP&G family.
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SOCIAL CHEAT SHEET:
TIDE: Twitter: https://twitter.com/tide
MR. CLEAN: Twitter: https://twitter.com/RealMrClean
SWIFFER: Twitter: https://twitter.com/Swiffer
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY: Website: http://www.habitat.ca/ | Twitter: https://twitter.com/HabitatCanada | #WB2014
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