RBC Employees Give a Helping Hand
Local RBC employees gave a helping hand at the current Habitat build in Victoria Harbour. The RBC staff were enthusiastic as they assisted the selected family with wiring their home. As part of the partnership with Habitat for Humanity, the family is required to contribute 500 sweat equity hours into their home. The Paquette family has been working hard to make their dream come true. Upon completion, the family will be responsible for an interest-free mortgage.

This is just another way that RBC, and many community partners, support Habitat for Humanity North Simcoe. On Oct. 2, 2008 RBC Barrie/Muskoka Region announced a donation of $10,000 to support the efforts of our affiliate. Such support from members of our community help families own their own home. One house at a time.

In the photo bellow is:
Back row: Bob Garratt, Kathleen Cote, Yvon Paquette, Scott Mason (RBC Branch Mgr), Tim Cote,
Second row: Kate Arnold, Brenda Paquette, Jessica Paquette
Front row : Chloe Paquette, Gary Fleming (Habitat volunteer)

Cedar Ridge Pops Chooses Habitat for Humanity North Simcoe
It is MUSIC to our ears that the Cedar Ridge Pops chose Habitat for Humanity North Simcoe as one of the recipients of the successful 2008 Concert. The success of the event enabled Ellie Curby (Community Outreach Chair for Cedar Ridge Pops) to present Kate Arnold (Habitat for Humanity North Simcoe) with a $55,000 cheque. The donation will prove to be a helping hand to our affiliate when we want to purchase land for more affordable housing. Used as a land bank, we will be able to build safe and decent homes for more local families of North Simcoe.

In the photo bellow is Kate Arnold (Habitat for Humanity North Simcoe) receiving a $55,000 cheque from Ellie Kirby (Community Outreach Chair for Cedar Ridge Pops)

RBC Donation
RBC Barrie/Muskoka Region invited members of Habitat for Humanity North Simcoe, Huronia, Muskoka and Orillia/Lake Country to attend a recent Barrie Colts game. Anna Cheaney and Roger Denize of RBC Barrie/Muskoka Region and the Habitat representatives attended centre ice to announce that RBC had provided funding to each of these affiliates in the amount of $10,000 for a total donation of $40,000.

Also in attendance were the 8 members of the Paquette family. This family has been selected for the Habitat for Humanity North Simcoe's 2008 build in Victoria Harbour. The Paquette family were treated to hotdogs and a visit by "Charlie Horse" the Colts mascot. A great time was had by all. Thank you RBC for your support of Habitat for Humanity.

RBC will be attending a build day in November on the construction site of our home in Victoria Harbour. This is just another way that RBC supports Habitat for Humanity.

In the picture, from left to right, are Chris Pauze - HFH Orillia/Lake Country, Anna Cheaney -RBC, Kate Arnold - HFH North Simcoe, Paul Cormier - HFH Huronia, Martha Coburn, HFH Muskoka and Roger Denize-RBC Barrie/Muskoka Region.

A New Site is Found
Habitat for Humanity North Simcoe is excited to announce that they have selected a site for their 2008 build. It is the 4th home that they have built in the North Simcoe community and is the 2nd one in the Township of Tay. Pictured bellow is Doug Lorriman, Site Selection Chair, and Kate Arnold, Chair of the Family Selection and Nurturing Committee, claiming the land where a dream will come true for a local family. The excitement is building at 114 William Street. Please watch for the groundbreaking event.

Habitat for Humanity North Simcoe Adopts a Road
As an environmentally conscious and responsible organization we have adopted Midland town road, Whitfield Crescent, where our ReStore is located. As members and volunteers of Habitat we have committed ourselves to keeping Whitfield Cres. litter free, with a minimum of two annual clean ups. We would love for you to come and check out our ReStore at 253 Whitfield Cres., where you can find quality new and used home and building materials and along the way notice our beautifully clean and litter free road. We not only build homes, we build hope, while always keeping green practices in mind.

Purchase a LatteBené at Timothy's World Coffee
On September 25, Timothy's World Coffee launches its third annual in-store fundraising campaign in support of Habitat for Humanity Canada. All 107 Timothy's stores across the country will sell LatteBené beverages with 100% of the proceeds going to support home building overseas and in Canada primarily through the Global Village program.

Music to our Ears
The Cedar Ridge Pops concert, took place on August 9, 2008 at the Eglise Sainte-Croix church in Lafontaine. The guest orchestra was none other than Via Salzburg with conductor Mayumi Seiler. The theme was "Summer on the Blue Danube" which featured Austrian inspired music and food. Despite the rain, the classical music performance was an immense success, with over 350 people attending the event. Guests then enjoyed cocktails, a silent auction as well as an incredible dinner prepared on -site at the property of Harry and Betty Campbell's by selected chefs, dinner and apres-dinner music, all in the purely magical atmosphere of beautiful Georgian Bay.

Since its inception in 2001, the Cedar Ridge Pops has become the largest one-day fundraiser north of the GTA. It has supported many local causes such as the Huronia Hospital Foundation, Family Physician Recruitment Task Force, thePenetanguishene and Midland libraries, Community Link Transportation Program, to name but a few. Close to 1 million dollars has been raised by the Pops so far for local charities.

It is MUSIC to our ears that the Cedar Ridge Pops has chosen Habitat for Humanity North Simcoe as one of the recipients of the 2008 Concert along with the Midland branch of the Salvation Army.

Art Walk at the Harbour
The public is invited to attend the 2nd Annual Art Walk at the Harbour, at Wycliffe’s Georgian Landing, in Victoria Harbour. On June 21/22, from 10:00am until 4:00pm, approximately 20 renowned local artists will feature their work including Cathy Boyd, a Wycliffe sales consultant. While at the art show, visitors are invited to take the opportunity to tour four decorated model homes. Part of the art sale proceeds will be donated to Habitat for Humanity North Simcoe, to help build safe and decent homes for local families. For more information call 1-888-803-5555 or (705) 534-0353.

Buy a House. Build a Home.
The 2008 “Buy a House. Build a Home.” fundraising campaign will run from May 29th to June 29th, inclusive, and involve the sale of ‘paper houses’ in The Home Depot stores across Canada.

The paper houses will be sold in all 166 Home Depot stores across Canada and on-line at www.homedepot.ca for a donation of $2.

The proceeds of this campaign will support the Habitat for Humanity/Home Depot partnership, including the Home Building, Sustainable Building and Non-Build Grants provided to almost 20 Affiliates this year. In addition, if the campaign raises more money that the original budgeted target, then additional funding will be available to support affiliates.

We encourage staff, volunteers, supporters and ReStore customers, as well as their friends and family to purchase a paper “house” from a local Home Depot store.

ReStore Truck
The Midland ReStore is pleased to announce the arrival of its new truck. The 5 ton truck was purchased to allow transportation of various items that are donated to the ReStore. For the many people and business owners who are interested in making a donation, the truck is a time-saving convenience because of the pick-ups that can now be arranged. The timely pick-ups will allow the ReStore team to better serve the community as well. Along with the convenience, there is the opportunity for the discount building-supply store to increase sales. The sales will help fund the next house that Habitat for Humanity North Simcoe builds. This exciting new purchase could not have been made without the financial help of the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

Business After Five
Our Habitat for Humanity affiliate is pleased with the outcome of its very first Business after 5 meeting. On February 28, 2008 our affiliate hosted a networking event that numerous Chamber of Commerce members participated in. It was a great opportunity for Habitat for Humanity to make a presentation to other members of the Simcoe Community. Special thanks to the Southern Georgian Bay Chamber of Commerce and the Faith Relations Committee for the wonderful food that was made.

Snow Fort Building Contest
The Sugar Ridge Retreat Centre, located in Wyebridge, held a fun-filled fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity North Simcoe. The fundraiser was on Sunday, February 17, 2008 and involved a snow fort building competition. The funds that were raised will go towards building a new Habitat for Humanity home for a low-income family in the North Simcoe Community. It is planned that the snow fort building competition will become an annual event, hosted by Sugar Ridge Retreat Centre.