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Volunteer Electricians Help Habitat for Humanity WR Make a Difference to Local Families

March 27, 2019

Since 2005, members of the IBEW Local 804 Retirees Club have been volunteering their services as licensed electricians for Habitat for Humanity WR home builds. They’ve helped over 65 families experience the joy of owning their own home.

Jane Bleijerveld has noticed a big difference since her family moved into their new Habitat for Humanity Waterloo Region (WR) home.

“I feel super blessed and thankful to be here, to have a place that’s a safe haven,” she says. “I love that we can enjoy things like just being able to sit on the porch in the morning with a book, or take our son to the park provided by Habitat. Just having a place where I can watch my son jump around, and make memories means so much.”

Fellow Habitat WR family member Paige MacCharles has had a similar experience. “My husband and I feel more accomplished, more stable. It’s made my kids happier – they love having a house, and being in a neighbourhood with tons of other kids they can play with.”

“Families in stable homes do better mentally and physically, and the kids especially do better in school,” says Habitat WR Build Manager Darrell Bauman. “Low income families can experience a lot of stress, and this can impact sleep and overall health.”

For IBEW Local 804 Retiree Club volunteer electrician Doug Richards, the happy outcome is a big part of why he contributes. “To me, that’s very rewarding, just the fact that we’ve done something for somebody.”

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