It's true that projects like Habitat for Humanity's eco-friendly retrofit home that is nearing completion in Ottawa's west end would not have been possible without generous gifts of time and money from large corporations like Home Depot. But that doesn't mean that local companies shouldn't play their part as well, says one local contractor.
Daniel Smith, owner of Strokes of Genius Painting company, has partnered up with Bank Street Decorating Centre Benjamin Moore and this weekend they will be helping Habitat put the finishing touches on the revamped home that will soon house a family in need.
The home, situated in the Bayshore area of Ottawa at 14 Kevin Avenue, was one of the first local houses built by Habitat National Capital Region in the late 1990s. It recently came available to the organization again because the previous occupant's children grew up and moved out, and their mother downsized to a smaller home.
With an old property on their hands and a long list of families who needed help, Habitat decided to partner up with local volunteers, companies and trades to do give the place a completely Green overhaul.
"We’ve put in brand-new flooring, a brand-new kitchen, an energy efficient furnace and water heater and energy efficient windows," says one of the build's volunteers Bill Blampied. "All of these things reduce heat loss in the house.” They have also made changes to insulation and foundation sealing to further increase the home's energy efficiency.
As the team begins to put the finishing touches on the renovation, working towards a January dedication, local company Strokes of Genius Painting has decided to donate one of their crews to help Habitat volunteers with repairs and paint work in the home.
Strokes Owner Daniel Smith and south end Benjamin Moore store owner Dino Bentivoglio have agreed to supply top of the line, environmentally-friendly paint for the project as well.
"At this time of year, we need to be helping each other out in any way we can and when it comes to finding people who are in need, you don't have to look any further than right here," says Smith. "I think that large companies like Home Depot helping to make these homes a reality is great, but that doesn't let the rest of us local businesses off the hook!"
While Habitat has a great group of local volunteers who help out with everything from foundations to framing to finishing, they always appreciate when Ottawa-based skilled trades step forward to help provide guidance as well as hours of professional labour to help move things along.
"When we go in to the build, we will do whatever we can to provide volunteers with tips and tricks for professional patching and painting that they can use both now and in the future," says Smith. "And of course, since we're providing only low-VOC planet-friendly paint from Benjamin Moore for the job, we will effectively be helping to put a nice Green cherry on top of this eco-friendly Sundae of a reno as well."
A Strokes of Genius crew will be at the Kevin Avenue location on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, December 11 through 13th.
For more information or interview opportunities, you may contact:
- Daniel Smith
- Owner, Strokes of Genius Painting.
- Contact: 613 697 4711. sogpainting AT gmail.com.
- www.ottawa-house-painters.com
- Dino Bentivoglio
- Owner, Bank Street Decorating Centre Benjamin Moore Paint Store (2446 Bank St, Unit 133, Ottawa)
- Contact: 613 733 9220
- Donna Hicks
- CEO, Habitat for Humanity NCR
- Contact: 613 749-9950 ext 222. donna AT habitatncr.com
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The preceding is the text of a release I have sent out to local media about a charity project we're working on with Habitat for Humanity this weekend. Habitat is a great organization and one I really believe does good work at a local level, so I am glad Strokes of Genius could help them get another home ready for a new family this year. A special thanks to Dino at the Bank and Hunt Club Benjamin Moore, who came through on the paint front and helped us make a greater contribution to the cause.
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