For Immediate Release June 3, 2005

The Countess of Wessex Starts Her Canadian Tour at a Habitat for Humanity Toronto Construction Site

Toronto, Canada – During the second-ever visit by a member of the Royal family to a Habitat for Humanity construction site in North America,HRH The Countess of Wessex toured the Rotary Drive site and met with volunteers, donors, and partner family members who spent the day volunteering building homes at the site.

HRH also unveiled the private road sign for Rotary Drive alongside Jill Peddicord, chair of Habitat for Humanity Toronto and Toronto Rotary Clubs’ representative, Bob Rutherford, chair of the Rotary Drive committee.

“It was an honour to unveil the Rotary Drive roadway sign alongside Her Royal Highness," shared Bob Rutherford. "It was truly a ‘crowning achievement’; another significant milestone in this centennial Rotary project," he continued. "I hope that Her Royal Highness will come away from this experience with an understanding of the vital work that Habitat for Humanity Toronto undertakes in this city, and how organizations like the Toronto Rotary Clubs support their mission to eradicate poverty housing.”

“Habitat for Humanity is responding to the global need for decent, affordable housing. We are so pleased that we were able to show HRH the work that Habitat is doing on a local level to build homes in partnership with partner families, volunteers and donors, like the Toronto Rotary Clubs,” says Neil Hetherington, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Toronto.

The construction of these homes would not be possible without the generous commitment of $600,000 and numerous volunteer hours by the Toronto Rotary Clubs. This donation represents the single-largest gift by a service club to an affiliate in Canadian Habitat history. Habitat Toronto is also grateful for the financial and volunteer support of Imperial Oil: Esso Retailers and the RBC Financial Group.

The homes of Rotary Drive will be dedicated on September 25, 2005 at 2:00 p.m. At this ceremony, the Toronto Rotary Clubs will hand-over the keys of these new homes to 10 very deserving families.

Founded in 1988, Habitat for Humanity Toronto, a non-profit, non-denominational Christian organization, welcomes all people without discrimination to build simple, decent houses in partnership with low-income families.  All administrative costs are funded by the operation of two Habitat ReStores, which sell donated new and quality used renovation materials. Building at a rate of one home every 24 minutes, Habitat for Humanity will have built more than 200,000 homes in over 100 countries by 2005.

For further Information:
Neil Hetherington, CEO
Habitat for Humanity Toronto
Tel: 416-755-7353 ext. 223
Cell: 416-436-4190