The grassroots resurgence of Habitat for Humanity in Morden and Winkler was recognized at the Manitoba Legislature recently by MLA Cameron Friesen.

"We all know the pride, security, and stability that comes from having a home that is really yours... this has been the legacy of Habitat for Humanity."

The first Habitat home in Canada was built in Winkler in 1985. Then in 2017, led by Christina and Duane Falk, a Winkler-Morden chapter was founded and has since secured vacant lots in both communities.

Christina says support for the organization has grown quickly. Recently RONA in Winkler donated over $1,000 to the project from monies collected by customers and matching funds from the business's parent company Lowes.

"I think people are just excited that it's back. It's a really good program people are familiar with," she says, noting Habitat for Humanity is widely respected around the world.

However, she says one misconception is the local chapter is funded by the Habitat for Humanity umbrella organization, which isn't true. "We have to raise all the funds to build our houses."

"People are really excited and they want to swing a hammer and start building, but we have to raise a lot of money to get there," she says.

While the lot in Morden was donated by Triple E, she notes they still have to raise funds for the Winkler lot, adding they hope to start building in one of the communities in 2019.

Cameron Friesen was recently joined by Habitat for Humanity Manitoba VP of Marketing and Communications Michelle Pereira and Director of Fund Development Vernelle Mirosh at the Manitoba Legislature.