Habitat for Humanity has the land and the resources to build two new homes for Drumheller families, all it needs is a family to take on the project.

The Drumheller chapter of Habitat for Humanity has been successfully fundraising to build a duplex in North Drumheller. The parcel of land was donated by Albert Clark, and while they are about $20,000 away from their fundraising goal,  Louise Gagne, director of regional development for Habitat for Humanity, says that fundraising is not their main obstacle.

“It isn’t about the money, it’s about families applying,” said Gagne. “We don’t have families applying and becoming eligible.”

Habitat for Humanity is a unique organization. Families that apply and are accepted are able to purchase the home through a no down payment, interest-free mortgage, geared to their incomes, and a commitment of at least 500 volunteer hours to construct their home.

“Our plan was to build this last spring. We were going to break ground, build and have our families in by fall. In February we hosted an information session and we had about seven families there and we have about one that is eligible, but we are building a duplex so we need a second family,” she said.

She explains there are three main criteria.  The family must demonstrate a housing need. This could be they are paying more than 30 per cent of their income on household overhead like rent and utilities. Or they could be in an unsafe housing situation.

The next criteria to meet is the ability to pay. At least one adult has to have a full-time job and be working in the community for at least two years.

“We want to be able to house local families, and offer this affordable home mortgage to local families,” she said.

The final component is the family having the time and a willingness to do the volunteer hours.

“We are not sure what the challenge is (getting families). Is there actually not a need or if the need has changed,” she said. “When we first acquired the land we understood there was a housing need for working families. During the last two or three years, the economic environment in Drumheller has changed,” she said. “The people we are inviting to apply to our houses are people who are working minimum wage jobs… because those are the people who generally aren’t making enough to save for a down payment or be able to pay for the interest of a mortgage.”

“But they are great working families and they are doing a good job of working and raising their families. Habitat is always about giving that family an opportunity for the sustainability of homeownership.

For more information go to habitatsouthernab.ca./own-a-home

This May, 16 Drumheller Sea Cadets will have the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of the brave men who landed on Juno Beach 75 years ago.

    The cadets have been actively fundraising for the 9-day excursion that will be departing at the end of May for the 75 anniversary of the D-Day landing on June 6.

     Cadet Katie Hanik said they learned of the excursion a few months ago when the executive of the Local Cadet Corps attended an event in Ottawa. They have partnered with cadets from Vancouver Island and will be the only Alberta Sea Cadets at the international event.

    The event is called ‘In Their Footsteps’ and participants will undertake a re-enactment of the D-Day Landing. Those attending the ceremonies will land on Juno Beach in a watercraft, literally walking in the footsteps of the soldiers that landed there 75 years before them. There they will be laying a wreath.

Two of Hanik’s great-grandparents fought there. “I am really looking forward to standing on the same soil my grandfather’s fought on,” she said. “I feel it is going to be very impactful. We are going to be learning about what they went through and what their lives were like. I think it is going to be an incredible opportunity.”

Each cadet had to write an essay when they applied to be included on the trip, and all were successful.

Another large component to the trip was fundraising. The cadets have been very busy fundraising, including its successful goat fundraiser. The Drumheller Rotary Club also stepped up to help with a  donation of $3,000.

“Rotarians quickly jumped at the opportunity to assist the Sea Cadets in this outstanding life experience, an experience that will remain with them the rest of their lives,” said Rotary president Stacey Gallagher.

They have been able to raise the funds needed to cover the basic costs, and are hoping to earn some more to help cover extra expenses. Along with the ceremony, they are planning to visit the Churchill War Rooms, and arrangements are being made to have a veteran accompany them on tours, including cemeteries and battlefields.