Hefty donation shocks Habitat for Humanity Kamloops

KAMLOOPS – Habitat for Humanity was given the type of donation that's only seen “once or twice in a lifetime.”

The non-profit was given approximately $2 million worth of building materials from OK Builders, which is closing its doors.

Bill Miller, executive director of Habitat for Humanity Kamloops, says a donation of this magnitude is unheard of.

“Were absolutely tickled to death, and that’s an understatement. We’re thrilled with the opportunity it provides us to build more houses for more people,” says Miller. “It’s just a great opportunity and it's a really big win for Habitat Kamloops and for the communities we serve.”

Miller says some of the materials, such as bricks, drywall, and other building supplies will be used for existing, current, and future projects, while some of the supplies will be sold.

“We’ve got some houses were starting in about a month and we're going to use as much of the materials that we need,” says Miller. “We're going to take the material donation and use it on some of the existing housing, we’re looking at another building opportunity, and we may use some of the materials for that, and then the rest of the material we’ll be selling.”

The revenue generated will go towards buying land for new houses and any costs that may be associated with building projects.

“The object is to try and sell as much as we can out of the OK Builders yard before we move to our Kamloops location,” says Miller.

Miller says the building materials will be sold for about 30 per cent of the retail value. He estimates the revenue from the goods could fetch between $500,000 and $700,000.

Miller says the organization is currently working on three family homes in the Skeetchestn First Nation, expected to get started in July or August. The Cooks Ferry band may be seeing eight to 12 seniors units, and there are also plans for 45-60 housing units for seniors and veterans in Enderby.

“There have been some other large donations to other non-profits but the magnitude of this one for Habitat Kamloops and the Restore is the largest I've ever seen,” says Miller.

Miller has been with Habitat for Humanity for about three years, and executive director for one. He says most of the other notable donations come from hotels getting rid of furniture, building services offering labour, and big box stores supplying materials and tools.

“It’s just incredible, things don't happen like this,” says Miller. “We might see this once or twice in our lifetime with a non-profit, so it's incredible.”

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