The new ReStore location is a “game-changer” for Habitat for Humanity Red Deer Region, says the nonprofit organization’s CEO.
On Saturday, Habitat for Humanity volunteers, staff members, local politicians and members of the community attended a grand opening ceremony for the ReStore facility, located at 409 Lantern St. in Red Deer County’s Gasoline Alley.
“We are around other retail establishments. That helps drive and increase our store traffic,” said Karen Vavrek, Habitat for Humanity Red Deer Region CEO.
“ReStore is very much a donor-driven business. Anything we have in the ReStore has been donated, so it’s important for us to not only serve people who are coming here to purchase items, but to be close to people and companies who are donating to us.”
The building itself is an improvement over the old ReStore location in North Red Deer.
“We’re happy to be in a store that’s twice as big as our original location,” said Vavrek.
“It will help us expand our services, with the hopes of serving more families and building more homes for people in need.”
In addition to the ribbon-cutting, a barbecue was held in front of the building throughout the day.
The Habitat for Humanity administration office will move into the same building in the near future, Vavrek added.
“It’s wonderful to be all under one roof again,” she said.
“We have construction staff, fundraising staff, communications, family services. To be all together, working under one roof, will help streamline our operations.”
Habitat ReStores rely on donations of new and gently used household items, building supplies and furniture to help cover the operational costs of Habitat for Humanity.
Habitat for Humanity Red Deer builds homes in partnership with qualifying low-income, working families through a no-down-payment, interest-free mortgage program. The nonprofit organization has been active in Central Alberta since 1994 and has built 42 homes in the region.
“The more that we can do in terms of upping our game (and) building our capacity to serve, we’ll hopefully help more Central Alberta families with housing down the road,” said Vavrek.
sean.mcintosh@reddeeradvocate.com
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