Kelowna

Electronic retailer, The Source recently announced that for the third time, they will serve as the title sponsor of a Habitat for Humanity Canada home build.

The 2012 development is located in Kelowna.

Photo: Contributed - Habitat for Humanity

Star Mengede and her two special-needs children received the keys to their new home on Friday.

In addition to a generous cash contribution, volunteers from the three local The Source stores helped with the finishing and landscaping of the home built for Star Mengede and her two special-needs children.

The Source and Habitat for Humanity Kelowna handed over the keys to Star and her family during the home dedication ceremony.

"Our Associates are passionate about giving back to the communities in which they live and work and Habitat for Humanity provides an opportunity to truly make a difference," says Charles Brown, President at The Source.

"On behalf of our Associates and partners, we are very proud to donate $60,000 towards this build and continue helping Canadian families, like Star and her children."

Habitat houses are sold to partner families at no profit and are financed with affordable, no-interest mortgages. The homeowners' monthly mortgage payments go into a revolving fund, which is used to build more homes.

Habitat for Humanity is a hand up, not a hand out. In addition to mortgage payments, each homeowner invests hundreds of hours of their own labour, called "sweat equity", into the building of their home and the homes of others.

"We are overjoyed that The Source chose Star's home for their third Habitat for Humanity home sponsorship," says Lona Manning, Executive Director of Habitat Kelowna.

"We are very grateful and look forward to bringing Star and her family home today."

Photo: Contributed - Habitat for Humanity

The Source presented a cheque for $60,000 to Habitat for Humanity Kelowna.

The home is made wheelchair-accessible thanks to Accent Homes, with custom features provided by Creative Mobility and Aquassure Accessible Baths.

The Source also announced they raised $85,000 for Habitat for Humanity Canada at its recent 12th Annual Invitational Golf Tournament.

Founded in 1992, Habitat for Humanity Kelowna is a non-profit organization working towards a world where everyone has a safe and decent place to live.

Their mission is to mobilize volunteers and community partners in building affordable housing and promoting home ownership as a means to breaking the cycle of poverty.

The volunteer organization has provided 22 families with safe, decent and affordable housing in the Central Okanagan.

Habitat for Humanity Kelowna is one of 72 Canadian affiliates and is a member of Habitat for Humanity International, which has built or renovated more than 400,000 houses worldwide, providing shelter for more than 2 million people since it was founded in 1976.

For more information on Habitat for Humanity Kelowna, please visit their website.