Habitat for Humanity is celebrating 25-years and a bright future in Windsor-Essex.
The recent opening of the organization's new re-store on Edinborough St. has paid off, literally, according to Manager Rick Young. He says funds raised have more than doubled from $85,000 in June of last year to north of $175,000 over the past month.
He tells AM800 News Habitat builds three homes each year; that number will now climb to five moving forward.
"It's amazing to see the support we're getting from the community, not just on the customers coming in, but the donations," Young says. "People have now realized that instead of going to the landfill and costing them money, they can give it to us if there's no rips or tears and we're able to clean it up and sell it. It's just a win for everybody."
Young says that extra money means helping more families struggling to make ends meet.
"Instead of focusing on looking for a place to live, they can now start thinking about sending their kids to college or university. It's changing the direction of a whole family for future generations," says Young. "We would like to just keep growing and growing with the help of the Re-Store covering the costs plus the extra money that goes back to the affiliates, at the end of the day it's going to mean serving more families."
The organization has built 65 homes for families in need throughout Windsor-Essex.
As part of its 25-year anniversary, the Re-Store will hold free do-it-yourself classes every month.