Thanks to an anonymous donor, Estevan's chapter of Habitat for Humanity is already ahead of schedule for their build that they plan to start in mid-2022, and they already have other fundraising efforts about to begin. In their last two builds, Chairperson Doug Barnstable has confirmed that they had to purchase the land to build on in those deals, but this year, that isn't the case.

"We've just recently had the completion of the donation of a building lot for habitat. Some anonymous donors provided us with a lot that we can build on at no cost to us, and so we're excited about that. That gives us a real quick start on our fundraising process."

The lot is located at 1011 Hillcrest Drive in Estevan, just off of King Street and further away from the other two builds that we've seen so far. With a lot to build on in place, fundraising efforts can focus purely on the build at hand instead of that initial cost.

"It's really a good start. Previously in the last two builds we've had, we've always had to purchase a lot, and now we'll just have to raise funds for the actual construction and we're looking forward to getting that happening as we proceed through this year and hopefully be able to get all of our funds in place by the end of this year."

H4H is beginning its fundraising efforts to meet that goal by the end of the year, although they don't have a clear goal in place quite yet. There is a number of ways to support the group in helping build a home for a family in need of one, even just by calling Barnstable himself at (306) 421-1319.

There is another fundraiser going on right now that your kids can take part in that H4H has been in contact with schools for, but parents who are teaching their kids at home may want to get their kids involved as well if they are in grades four, five, or six.

"They can apply into the contest by writing an essay of 50 to 300 words describing what home means to them, and it's a contest that's run nationally from January 4th to February 19th. Annotate invites. B gets just submit their poem or essay in French or English, explaining what that home means to them to get the opportunity to direct their grant of $30,000 to a local Habitat for Humanity build."

More information on that fundraiser can be found at meaningofhome.ca.

Normally, there are cash calendars and poker tournaments to help out with those fundraising efforts, but this year they've had to change a few things. They will be one of the recipients from the Black Grasshopper in Estevan's Pizza for a Purpose on February 8.

More fundraising efforts are to come this year, so keep an eye here for future updates.