Hamilton, ON (June 3, 2024) – Habitat for Humanity Hamilton is thrilled to
celebrate the outstanding achievement of Kateryna (Katy) K., a Grade 5 student
from St. Michael’s Catholic Elementary School. Katy has won the grand prize in
the Grade 5 category of Habitat for Humanity Canada’s Meaning of Home contest,
sponsored by Sagen. Her touching poem, “What does home mean to me?”,
has not only earned her personal accolades but also a significant $30,000 grant
for Habitat for Humanity Hamilton.
This year, Hamilton students made an incredible impact by
submitting a record-breaking 437 entries, raising $4,370 for Habitat Hamilton
through Sagen’s donation program, which contributes $10 for every submission.
This unprecedented participation highlights the community’s dedication to
supporting affordable housing initiatives.
Sean Ferris, CEO of Habitat Hamilton, expressed immense
pride: “We are so proud to have such amazing youth in our community who want to
get involved. This $30,000 grant will go a long way to help us provide
strength, stability, and independence for more families in Hamilton who need
affordable housing opportunities.”
The Meaning of Home contest, a national initiative by
Habitat for Humanity Canada, encourages students in grades 4, 5, and 6 to share
their thoughts on what home means to them. This year, over 15,000 entries were
submitted, raising $327,000 for local Habitat organizations across the country.
Since its inception in 2007, the contest has raised $2.7 million, thanks to the
generous support of founding sponsor Sagen.
Stuart Levings, President and CEO of Sagen, remarked on the
contest’s impact: “With the support of Sagen as founding sponsor, these
students have raised $2.7 million to help more families in need of homes build
stronger lives through housing. It’s our privilege to support students in
becoming caring citizens and in providing safe and affordable homes for
families.”
To celebrate Katy’s achievement, Habitat for Humanity
Hamilton will be hosting a special event for St. Michael Catholic Elementary
School. Stay tuned to our social media channels to see coverage of the event
and join us in congratulating Katy and our community’s youth for their
remarkable efforts.
Thank you again to Sagen, for making this wonderful contest
possible. As a sponsor since 2000, Sagen has donated over $6.9 million in
support of Habitat Canada and has helped thousands of Canadian families realize
their dreams of affordable homeownership. Sagen’s support extends beyond
financial contributions, with employees lending their expertise and time to
various Habitat programs. Find out more at www.sagen.ca.