Photo: 100 Women Who Care

Penticton's Habitat for Humanity team is thrilled to have received a $500 donation from 100 Women Who Care last week.

"It feels incredible, it feels validating for the greater cause, it is the feeling that the women who show up to give back to their community honestly believe what they're standing for," said co-CEO of Habitat for Humanity in the Okanagan Lorraine Richmond "They put their money where their mouth is. The generosity of the community feels like a really great connection for Habitat for Humanity." 

The organization builds homes for families that are working but can't afford to scrape together a big down payment. They talk about "opening the door" to a home for a family, and the money from this particular donation has been pledged toward a home for the next family in the South Okanagan that they help. 

"I don't know if $500 is going to pay for the whole door, but it will 100 per cent go to that, not a penny for admin fees," Richmond said. "It will be opening the door for that family."

So far the organization has helped 33 families in the Okanagan since its inception in 1993, two in Penticton, and they are actively seeking land in the South Okanagan so they can scale up.

"We'd love to help 30 families per year," Richmond said. 

She said that donations like this grant from 100 Women Who Care are what will help make that vision happen. 

"It's the donations of local people who care about their community that make all the difference," Richmond said. 

There are currently no active home builds in the South Okanagan with Habitat, but the Penticton ReStore is helping to generate money for the cause, and any volunteers are always needed and welcome. 

"No special skills necessary, we train on the job," Richmond said. "As soon as we can purchase land to begin a build, we will also be actively looking for volunteers to help us with that."

100 Women Who Care is a charitable group that meets quarterly to give out three donations to local causes.