November 5, 2015 – Habitat for Humanity GTA (Greater Toronto Area) needs 2200 volunteers to help build Habitat homes across five build sites this holiday season to ensure that 13 Habitat Partner Families “can come home in time for the holidays, followed by another 13 families by Spring 2016”.

“There are few volunteer opportunities as rewarding as swinging a hammer or laying some flooring,” says Ene Underwood, Habitat GTA CEO, adding, “and we have never needed you more!”

Habitat GTA says the need is critical: 13 homes need to be completed by year-end, and another 10 must be closed-in for the winter so volunteers can continue work indoors.

The campaign, entitled Home for the Holidays Challenge, runs from November 5 to December 19, 2015, challenging members of the community to give back this holiday season by volunteering their time at one of their five build sites in Toronto, Brampton & York Region.

The challenge is meant for anyone 16 or older, and no building experience is required. Volunteers can sign up as individuals or with friends.

“We challenge everyone across the GTA to follow suit and help get these families home for the holidays,” said Brendan Shanahan, president and alternate governor of the Toronto Maple Leafs, whose players and management members will join Habitat GTA at one of the build sites.

This Home for the Holidays Challenge campaign will culminate with Habitat GTA’s Home for the Holidays Dedication events being held in December, where volunteers, donors and community partners will officially hand the keys over to these 13 families. Work will continue on another 13 homes at Habitat GTA’s Birchmount, McLevin and Torbram sites throughout the winter.

— Photo courtesy Habitat for Humanity Int’l/Steffan Hacker