Habitat for Humanity Sunshine Coast has just received another $60,000 award from Alcan for their monumental recycling efforts.Every year Alcan gives out three $60,000 cash awards in Canada to those Habitat for Humanity organizations that recycle the most aluminum cans. Last year the Sunshine Coast chapter recycled more cans than even the Vancouver chapter and won the cash prize. This year they collected roughly 144,000 cans, setting them up to win the prize again."We'd like to specifically thank the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) because we have a contract with them where they give Habitat for Humanity all of the recycled containers they get in their depots in Sechelt and Gibsons," Ed Hawkins, head of the public relations committee for Habitat for Humanity Sunshine Coast, said. "We sort that recycling out and take it to Caps Off where they pay us the refund money. We keep a tally of all the aluminum cans and send that to Alcan." Hawkins also wanted to thank "Ms. Habitat Recycling," Margie Garrard who is the driving force behind the recycling effort with a staff of 25 volunteers.The cash award comes on the heels of a donation of a modular home to the organization from locals Norm and Rose Cuddy, which Habitat sold for a profit of $40,000."It was a very generous donation and it would have been a nice home for a family if we could have found a lot, but the Cuddys had to have the home moved by the end of April and we couldn't do that," Hawkins added.Both the sale of the house and the cash prize will be used to build more homes on the Sunshine Coast, says Hawkins, who notes the influx of cash doesn't mean Habitat for Humanity is finished fundraising on the Coast."We don't want people to get the idea we have enough money, because what we have will be used soon and it's not the be all and end all. We really appreciate all the large and small donations we get and need on the Sunshine Coast," he said.He said there are literally hundreds of families on the Coast in need of quality affordable housing and estimates there are "thousands without adequate housing right now," meaning Habitat's job is far from over.Currently the organization is getting geared up to put the roof on the home they are building in Gibsons and waiting to see if a lot purchased in Sechelt will be rezoned for a duplex to house two families in need.Hawkins notes the organization will probably be looking at building duplexes or purchasing townhouses from now on."We want to get into townhouses because of the cost of the land. We cannot afford to build any more single-family houses on the Sunshine Coast. The lots are just too expensive," he said.The group is looking for more volunteers to help find, secure and build affordable housing on the Coast. If you would like to get involved visit their website at www.habitatsc.ca where there are volunteer forms and family application forms available, or call 604-885-2202.
