A Valentine’s weekend candlelight fundraiser brought the community together to support the Carman-Dufferin chapter of Habitat for Humanity Manitoba and its goal of building a new home this fall.
The Tangled Strings quartet provided the entertaiment for the fundraiser
About 120 people attended the evening, which organizers say raised roughly $10,000 toward the upcoming build — exceeding expectations and reinforcing what emcee Ernie Bart described as the feeling of “a community coming together for a common cause.”
The evening featured more than 200 donated desserts, a chamber orchestra performance, Valentine’s-themed hall decorations, a presentation by sponsors and a ministerial message, along with prize draws and donations collected throughout the night.
Bart opened the evening with a land acknowledgement, recognizing that guests were gathered on Treaty 1 territory and that Manitoba is located on the treaty territories and ancestral lands of First Nations peoples, as well as on the homeland of the Red River Métis. Bart said the acknowledgement reflected a commitment to respecting “the spirit and intent of treaties” and to working in partnership with First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples “in the spirit of truth, reconciliation and collaboration.”
Tying the theme “Home is where the heart is” to the Louis Riel long weekend and Habitat’s mission, Bart told attendees the chapter was “set on a build” this fall and said the turnout signalled the community support needed to carry the vision forward. Guests were invited to donate online or by envelope throughout the evening, with donation envelopes collected at the end of the program.
Entertainment was provided by Tangled Strings, a genre-blending string quartet that moved from classical chamber music into contemporary styles. Violinist Clair Tang introduced one piece as a story following a girl who leaves her birthplace and travels across cultures, gradually discovering that freedom is “not just a destination, but a choice.” The group also performed “Ahora,” described as a traditional Romanian circle dance often played at weddings and festivals.
During the program, Bart introduced Winnipeg-based Neptune Properties Inc. as a platinum sponsor and welcomed company president and co-founder Calvin Polit to present a cheque for $20,403.38 to the Carman-Dufferin Habitat chapter.
Polit said the donation was driven by Habitat’s model of helping families become homeowners through mortgages geared to their income — “a hand up, not a handout,” as he put it — with mortgage payments reinvested to support future builds.
“It becomes this really wonderful lasting legacy,” Polit said, adding that the need for affordable housing was clear in communities where the company has ties, including Carman through True North Foods.
Polit told the crowd one of the most powerful moments he has seen at Habitat’s “key ceremonies” is when children enter an unfurnished home and realize they have a bedroom of their own.
“This is my room. It’s my bedroom,” he recalled, saying that for some children, it is the first time they have ever been able to say that.
Polit encouraged guests to contribute however they can, noting Neptune’s team has taken part in annual Habitat build days since 2017.
“Every hand makes a difference,” he said. “Not just the labour that takes place on the site, but also every dollar that gets raised gets you closer to that goal.”
Family selection committee chair Karen Tjaden followed with an overview of how the local chapter plans to choose a partner family before construction begins. Tjaden said selection is based on three principles: demonstrated need, ability to pay a mortgage and willingness to partner with Habitat Manitoba and the local chapter.
Applicants must be working and/or living in the community, and Tjaden said the target household income range is about $35,000 to $90,000. The selected family will contribute 500 hours of “sweat equity” through the build and volunteer work, which she described as the family’s down payment. Families purchase the home at market value and pay monthly mortgage payments, including property taxes, with Habitat ensuring through credit checks that the family has the tools and resources to succeed.
Tjaden said Habitat’s model provides long-term stability by ensuring a family’s mortgage payment will not exceed 27 per cent of total household income.
“We are really excited to talk with prospective families, especially one or two parent families with young children who are renting now,” she said, noting some local housing can be too expensive, too small or in poor condition.
Calling Habitat a “wise investment,” Tjaden pointed to results from a national study on the impacts of homeownership for Habitat families. She said 73 per cent reported improved physical health, 79 per cent improved mental health, 51 per cent improved financial security and 50 per cent of parents said their children were doing better in school after moving into a Habitat home.
“The mortgage payments on the house we build this year will help to finance future builds,” she said. “This house that we build this year will be life changing for one family, for one neighbourhood, for one community.”
Bart also read a message from Housing, Addictions and Homelessness Minister Bernadette Smith, who sent regrets for not attending in person. In her letter, Smith thanked sponsors and volunteers and said proceeds from the fundraiser would support Carman’s first Habitat build since 2015. She added the province is working to expand social and affordable housing and referenced provincial efforts to transition people living in encampments into more stable housing.
The evening closed with thank-yous from chapter treasurer Lorraine Girouard, who credited local businesses, volunteers and youth helpers for making the event possible. Girouard highlighted the “LYNk” student volunteers — described as “Local Youth Nurturing Kind” — who arrived early to prepare decorations and returned in the evening to help with the event.
“It takes a strong community like ours to make an event like this come together,” Girouard told the crowd.
A 50-50 draw saw winner Bonnie Latimer split the $1,125 pot, while a door prize draw sent a handcrafted crib board by Cliff McKercher home with Kieran.
Bart closed out the evening saying the fundraiser’s success — from desserts and decorations to sponsors, volunteers and donors — leaves the Habitat team encouraged as fundraising continues through community partnerships and grant applications ahead of the fall build.
