FIRST CANADIAN COLDWELL BANKER HABITAT BUILD TOOK
PLACE IN KITCHENER

For the first time in Canada, Coldwell Banker has sponsored and participated in building a Habitat for Humanity Home; and it happened last week on Bankside Drive in Kitchener.

In what is known as a Blitz Build, the Coldwell Banker House was built by Habitat and Coldwell Banker Peter Benninger Realty volunteers in only one week from July 16 to 21. The 'Pre Build' (when the foundation work is done) took place June 4 to the 22.

Habitat for Humanity Waterloo Region Inc. builds simple, decent, affordable houses and sells them with no interest mortgages to low-income families who are committed to improving their lives. Habitat homeowners are given a hand-up, not a handout, through their new homeownership opportunity. Future homeowners must contribute a minimum of 500 hours of "sweat equity" labour to the building of their house.

On Saturday July 21st at the dedication of their new home, the Ryan family: Mike, Sharon, and their children Mike Jr. (21), Mathew (20), Paula (16) and her baby son, David received the keys to their new 1050 square foot 3 bedroom raised bungalow. The traditional Habitat housewarming gifts of a hammer and a bible were presented to the family at the inspiring ceremony with volunteers, sponsors, friends and neighbours joining in.

Coldwell Banker, a full-service real estate company with more than 3,000 independently owned and operated offices globally, first began its corporate alliance with Habitat in 1993, and has since contributed millions of dollars and volunteered thousands of hours to further the Habitat mission.

Locally, Peter Benninger owner and President of Coldwell Banker Peter Benninger Realty was first introduced to the Habitat home-builds through his attendance at the annual Coldwell Banker International Business Conferences. "The international conferences always coincided with a Habitat Build," recalls Benninger, "and each morning at the general assembly a hat would be passed around to the 7000 or so people in attendance. The money collected would go towards the house that was being built that week."

He felt that Habitat was a positive way to make a lasting impression on a community. "I wanted our community, Waterloo Region to be host to the first Coldwell Banker Habitat build in Canada."

"We're in the business of helping people fulfill the dream of home ownership every day," said Benninger. "It's very rewarding to be able to give something back to our community -- something that will still be standing for many years."

Fundraising for the Coldwell Banker House began 3 years ago by raffling 'playhouses'. Coldwell Banker Peter Benninger Realty agents raised funds by selling thousands of 'playhouse' tickets each year at Christmas. To help promote the event Coldwell Banker Peter Benninger Realty sponsored the Habitat for Humanity Oktoberfest Parade float, which featured volunteers actually constructing the small houses along the parade route. Including a contribution by Coldwell Banker Affiliates of Canada, a total of $55,000 dollars was raised for materials. In addition hundreds of volunteer hours were required to build the home.

Coldwell Banker Peter Benninger Realty agents are used to hard work but last week associates wielded hammers and paintbrushes in the hot sun to build a home instead of sell one! "By helping to build a Habitat house, our sales associates got a chance to gain some practical knowledge of the construction process", said Gord Mepham, General Manager of Coldwell Banker Peter Benninger Realty "But probably the greatest satisfaction to all those who volunteered was the sense of community you felt from working alongside the family and other volunteers on the site. You start working with people you've never met and within a short time you see teamwork and friendship evolving. It was rewarding for everybody."

Peter Benninger hopes that the success of the Coldwell Banker House in Kitchener will encourage more Coldwell Banker builds across Canada.

As well as supporting efforts such as Habitat for Humanity, Coldwell Banker Peter Benninger Realty is also known for its support of fire prevention programs. Peter Benninger's leadership in bringing Fire Safety and Prevention to the forefront was recognized in 1994 when he was honoured with the Solicitor General's award for Fire Prevention and Public Education.

Since 1989, Habitat For Humanity Waterloo Region has built or renovated 35 homes in Waterloo Region and internationally, Habitat for Humanity has built more than 115,000 houses worldwide.