On Friday, Oct. 14, Mayor Barry Janyk was presented with cheques and cash totalling $45,000 representing one neighbourhood's successful six-month campaign to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity.
Earlier this year, the Town of Gibsons decided to assist Habitat for Humanity in acquiring its first property for affordable housing. The lot initially being considered raised significant debate in the community. Approximately 200 citizens voiced their concerns regarding the lot size and suitability for Habitat's first recipient family. As proof of their collective will to help Habitat, they asked for the opportunity to raise the necessary funds for Habitat to purchase a larger lot. The Town of Gibsons gave its consent in the form of a resolution and provided $30,000 to Habitat towards the timely purchase of its first property. This gift by the Town of Gibsons, along with the $45,000 to be raised by the citizens, represented the estimated value of property initially considered.
The kick-off to the campaign began in April with the Raise the Roof event at The Club in Lower Gibsons. It raised $5,000 and celebrated the newly-formed partnership between the Town of Gibsons, its Skyline-Headlands neighbourhood group and Habitat for Humanity. The neighbourhood group captured a sufficiently broad base of support to meet its target.
The neighbourhood group would like to thank Mayor Barry Janyk for helping them secure an acceptable resolution for everyone concerned. Councillors Angela Letman and Kenan MacKenzie also provided invaluable support and direction. As a reminder of their success, the neighbourhood will enjoy the little greenspace on the corner of Skyline Drive and Headlands Road which will soon become a park. This fundraising project has proven that a win-win solution is entirely possible when even a small group of citizens applies its creativity, enthusiasm and determination to solving the challenges of a growing community.
