One by One
Habitat for Humanity® Southern Alberta, Recipient

Habitat for Humanity® Southern Alberta

Calgary, Alberta

Gifts for volunteers offer an extra thank-you

Habitat for Humanity® is an international charitable organization that works with communities to ensure everyone has a safe, affordable place to call home. Habitat for Humanity® Southern Alberta carries out that mission across southern Alberta, bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope.

Beyond assembling volunteers and staff members to build single-family homes, the organization provides financing for affordable mortgages to families. New homeowners can secure a no-interest mortgage without a down payment, and monthly mortgage payments set at no more than 30% of a family’s total household income.

Lauren Riley, manager of volunteers and community engagement, said the organization’s approach helps families ensure every payment goes directly into their home equity. “It leaves room for families to live comfortably and not have to choose between paying rent and paying for groceries, enrolling their child in sports, paying utilities or whatever else might come up,” she said.

Establishing a strong foundation

Since its founding in 1990, the Southern Alberta team has helped more than 400 families and impacted the lives of more than 1,200 children. Today, approximately 70 staff members and a team of more than 1,400 volunteers make up the organization. A major project kicking off this summer is the building of a city block of affordable homes in Chestermere. Expected to be mostly completed in 2026, the build includes 24 homes and a $9.6 million investment in affordable housing, which will greatly impact the community.

Thank-you gifts for volunteers mark a milestone

A one by one grant provided coffee mugs given as appreciation gifts for volunteers. The mugs featured a special imprint celebrating Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta’s 35th anniversary. Riley said it’s a small gesture for the people who make all the organization does possible. “With 1,400 volunteers, we simply couldn’t do what we do without them,” she said. “So when I learned about this grant, right away I had our volunteers in mind.”

When it comes to nonprofits and charities, budgets are often tight. Riley said that’s what makes opportunities like the one by one grant so special—they offer organizations a chance to do something they normally wouldn’t have resources for. “While we value our volunteers so much, our funding generally goes toward building homes. It’s wonderful to be able to give them a little something extra to show they’re appreciated,” Riley said.

A note from Cheryl

Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta does important work bringing community members together to give families a fresh start. We were delighted to support its mission—if even in a small way—by providing branded mugs given as appreciation gifts for volunteers. If you’re interested in a one by one grant, visit onebyone.4imprint.ca.

For more information about Habitat for Humanity® Southern Alberta, please visit https://www.habitatsouthernab.ca/

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