Winnipeg dealers through Auto Dealers Build are pitching in to provide a new home for a deserving couple and their children.
Auto Dealers Build is part of the Habitat for Humanity program, currently celebrating its 25th anniversary in the city. The object is to raise funds through auto dealers with 100 per cent of those funds going into the home. The home is then offered to a low-income couple for sale at an entry-level price and the mortgage payments go to Habitat for Humanity to build non-profit housing.
Executive director Geoff Sine, Manitoba Motor Dealers Association (MMDA), said $45,000 in cash was raised by dealers and donors. In addition, dealers and staff have volunteered time to participate in construction of the new home which will be build at the corner of Fernbank and Main.
“Habitat for Humanity is very grateful to Bob Kozminski for championing this project within the industry. He was instrumental in achieving the fundraising results which is enough to pay for the kitchen, the parent’s bedroom, the living room, and the landscaping/fencing for new home,” said Sine.
The home is being built for a Filipino couple, who are health care aides, and their five children ranging from ages 18 to three years. The couple will help in the construction of the home.
For the past five years, the family has been living in a cramped three-bedroom co-op townhouse with only one bathroom. The children are sleeping in makeshift beds on the floor, as there is limited space for permanent beds. Their townhouse has had maintenance problems with flood damage to the basement limiting its use, while the main floor closet has only a curtain. Windows drip moisture and overall insulation is limited. Their home is cold in winter resulting in very high heating bills.
“They look forward to helping construct their home and moving in,” said Sine. “This new house will change their lives.”
Donors are:
- Six cylinder ($10,000) – Mr. and Mrs. R. M. (Bob) Kozminski
- Four cylinder ($5,000) – Birchwood Automotive Group; Gautier Automotive Group; Murray Chevrolet/Murray Hyundai; Vickar Automotive Group.
- Fuel Providers: ($2,500) – Eastern Chrysler Dodge Jeep, Focus Hyundai, Mid-Town Ford Sales, Pembina Chrysler Dodge Jeep, and Dilawri Group.
In addition other car dealers made donations that were not included in the above categories.
