Shortly after he was elected, Stellarton Mayor Danny MacGillivray was reading in the newspaper about a big project Habitat for Humanity was doing in the community of Spryfield.
He wondered at the time why there weren’t projects like that in smaller communities like Pictou County. As he researched though he discovered that there are in places like Oxford and parts of Cape Breton.
So he set about starting a local chapter which was formally done about six months ago. Now he is looking for more people to join to help kick-start a project.
“I’d like to see it become an option to help retain young working families,” he said.
The Habitat for Humanity projects brings volunteers together to build houses for people who might not be able to afford one. They aren’t free, however, and MacGillivray describes it as a hand up, not a hand out.
The way it works is that people who might not be able to get a traditional mortgage from a bank are given a mortgage through Habitat that costs about 30 per cent of their gross income. They’re able to do it for the lower price because of the volunteer work that goes into building the homes as well as corporate and community contributions.
MacGillivray believes it will be a great way to help people who are working but struggling to make ends meet.
“We’re hoping this might give them an option to stay in Pictou County.”
Already word about the endeavor is spreading through word of mouth and people have expressed an interest in becoming involved, but MacGillivray is hoping to boost that even more by passing out some information on Thursday, Feb. 22, during the Weeks Jr. A Crusher’s game at the Pictou County Wellness Centre. Members of the newly formed Habitat for Humanity chapter will have a booth set up in the lobby. They’ll also be taking part in the puck drop and handing out some T-shirts and swag during the first intermission of the game.
They’ll also be distributing information at a Skate with the Crushers to be held on March 4 at 5 p.m. at the Wellness Centre.
Those who aren’t able to make those information sessions but would like to learn more can contact MacGillivray directly by emailing [email protected].
