When a Fire consumed One of Our ReStores, The Home Depot Extended More Than a Hand

When a Fire Consumed One of Our ReStores, The Home Depot Extended More Than a Hand

On the evening of May 29th, flames engulfed the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Brockville. Virtually everything in the building was affected by the fire. Inventory was lost. Records were destroyed. Desks and computers were rendered useless. The structural damage to the building was so severe that Habitat for Humanity Thousand Islands was forced to close the affiliate ReStore permanently. But while the fire left little more than a smouldering shell of a building and a handful of inventory, the spirit of Humanity shone brighter than ever.

A Speedy Response
Within 24 hours, word had spread, and we received a call from The Home Depot Brockville, pledging their support. Not only did the local Home Depot store immediately offer volunteers and supplies to assist with the cleanup, they also contacted The Home Depot Head Office and requested funding on behalf of the affiliate to support rebuilding efforts.

Local Family’s Future Habitat Home Dependent on ReStore’s Revenue
Dealing with the aftermath of the fire placed a tremendous strain on fundraising efforts. Not surprisingly, the shock of the fire was felt most by a local family that was depending on the ReStore’s revenue to help fund construction of their future home. Their 2008 build-date was initially thrown into doubt, but once again, our friends at The Home Depot stepped forward.

The Home Depot recently announced a $30,000 Home Building grant to support the affiliate and enable them to make good on their promise to that family – we are grateful for their generosity.

Partnership Breeds Prosperity
This type of community support is just one example of why The Home Depot Canada was recognized by the Retail Council of Canada earlier this year, and received the RCC Award of Excellence in Corporate Social Responsibility for their partnership with HFHC.

As a Platinum partner with Habitat for Humanity Canada, The Home Depot has donated more than $3 million in 2008 alone in cash and gift-in-kind – and Home Depot employees across the country support Habitat through in-store fundraising initiatives, an annual golf tournament and thousands of volunteer hours on Habitat worksites.

"The Habitat ReStore in Brockville burned down on Thursday night. Is there anything that we can do for them?" - Actual call from Assistant Store Manager, The Home Depot Brockville

2008 Success Stories
On August 6, 2008, over 400 Home Depot vendors and employees participated in the 14th annual Home Depot Charity Golf Classic. The Home Depot’s largest fundraising event for Habitat for Humanity Canada, and our affiliates across the country, raised more than $680,000 – surpassing last year’s record-breaking tournament by over $50,000.

This year’s “Buy a House. Build a Home.” Paper House Campaign ran from May 29th to June 29th at all Home Depot locations, and online at www.homedepot.ca, providing customers the opportunity to purchase a ‘paper house’ for $2 in support of Habitat for Humanity.

Selling more than 115,000 ‘paper houses’ and joining forces with three vendor partners (CGC,
CIL Dulux and Schneider Electric, who collectively donated almost $44,000), over $230,000 was provided to Habitat for Humanity Canada and affiliates – more than a 150% increase over last year.