Just five weeks ago, local home builder Maple City Homes put out a challenge to the Chatham-Kent community to raise $100,000 to help homelessness initiatives and organizations.
When it was all said and done, Chatham-Kent businesses and residents raised $107,992.
10 months into the COVID-19 pandemic, homelessness has more than doubled in Chatham-Kent, United Way of Chatham-Kent officials say, adding that this number is expected to grow in 2021.
The money raised through this fundraiser will go directly to support the various non-profit groups that help to ease the burdens experienced by our homeless.
General Manager of Maple City Homes, Trevor Mailloux went on outreach with R.O.C.K. Missions in early December.
“It really was a huge eye-opener to see people out there who don’t have basic necessities like a roof over their head, gloves, a hat – I had no idea it was this big of an issue,” Mailloux said in a media release.
The Helping the Homeless Through the Holidays fundraiser ran throughout the month of December, and Mailloux says that many corporate sponsors jumped at the challenge to collectively raise $100,000 by making donations.
“It was amazing seeing everyone come together for a common goal,” Mailloux said.
In 2019, Maple City Homes raised $18,000 internally.
This year, they have decided to turn outward and rally the community, United Way of Chatham-Kent officials say.
“While Maple City Homes has been relatively unaffected by the pandemic, our team, subtrades, and suppliers are mindful that this isn’t the case for many others in the community,” stated Maple City Homes President and United Way Board Member Robb Nelson, in a media release.
“As a new home builder experiencing significant growth, we feel a responsibility in supporting our vulnerable and homeless population.”
