On Tuesday November 21st, 2023, Habitat for Humanity Northumberland staff & volunteers welcomed dignitaries, donors, and supporters to 4751 Hwy 45 in Baltimore, the location of their active build site in Baltimore to see the progress of their 7-unit net-zero townhome development. This is a 2.5-million-dollar project, the largest development that Habitat Northumberland has undertaken at one in time in its 25-year history. Much has changed since the project was announced one year ago.
The construction of the build is on schedule, with the framing of the first floor completed with the second level floor system nearly finished. The goal is to have the units dried in by the end of the year which includes the completion of the roof and shortly thereafter, the installation of the solar panels. The project is on track to house 7 families by the summer of 2024.
“We’re so excited to see this development come to life over the course of the last year,” explains Executive Director Meaghan Macdonald. “This was just a dream 18 months ago, and now we are seeing it in full swing with nearly all the funding committed.”
With the large size and scope of this project, a special fundraising campaign was created to account for additional funds needed to support the build. The Building Hope with Families capital campaign co-chairs Jacqueline Pennington and Greg Campbell along with their children and the campaign cabinet helped to reveal a giant thermometer and share that they are less than $50,000 away from the goal of $400,000 set out last year to specifically help finance the townhomes.
So far there has been commitment from countless donors, and all those who have pledged over $1,000 were recognized at the event: Cameco Corporation, Community Power Northumberland, Jacqueline Pennington Real Estate, Rotary Club of Cobourg, HTM Insurance & the Build for Brandon Week, Lion’s Club of Cobourg, Behan Construction, Tony Pulla & Jan Rosamond, Zoelle Plumbing, Quinn Electric, Jennifer Darrell, June Mackenzie, Gordon & Patti Ley, Pam & Steve Went, Jennifer Lean-Gadbois, Stewart Richardson & Nancy Oliver, Arsenault-Moore Family Foundation, Lynda Kay, Paul & Joan Macklin, Howard Keith Oliver, Forrest Rowden, Janet Sedgewick and David & Nancy Lester. A full list of donors is available on the campaign website: www.buidinghopewithfamilies.ca.
In addition to these funds, Community and Fund Development Coordinator Melissa Morrison announced that the total amount raised for their yearly Anniversary Campaign, which aims to raise $25,000 in 25 days for their 25th Anniversary. Through the generosity of a donor, all sponsorships and donations made during the campaign were matched up to $25,000, which raised a total of over $55,000 towards current build projects. The amazing sponsors this year include Silver Elite Sponsors; Part-Time CFO Services, Spoolon Manufacturing Ltd., and The Hickey Family Foundation. Elite Sponsors; Stadtke Plumbing and Heating & Ganaraska Financial. Friend Sponsors; The Cassells’ Family, Acme Electric, Robyn Mumford Real Estate and Terry White & Phyllis Hession-White. And Good Neighbour Sponsors; Fred Bate & Lauria Autogroup.
Habitat Northumberland is now processing expressions of interest for families hoping to become future homeowners in Baltimore. The application process is still open, so if you would like to know more information about this project and if you are eligible, please visit //habitatnorthumberland.ca/homeownership or email homeownership@habitatnorthumberland.ca.
Attached photos: Habitat Northumberland staff, volunteers, donors & supporters gathered at the Baltimore build site to share the progress at the year milestone of the project announcement and celebrate the fundraising efforts to date.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
