The Hrycyshyn household will be able to enjoy dinner as a family.
Three months ago Habitat for Humanity Thunder Bay announced a challenged offered by an anonymous donor through the Thunder Bay Community Foundation for its 28th home build.
The challenge required the organization to raise $50,000 by the end of June. If that money was raised a mystery donor would match it dollar for dollar. If that money wasn’t raised, the likelihood of a Habitat build was nil.
The money would be used to build the Hrycyshyn family an accessible home for their 14-year-old son with Cerebral Palsy, who requires 24-hour care.
Habitat for Humanity asked the community to join together Friday afternoon to announce that they had surpassed their goal and raised $62,562.
“The people of the city of Thunder Bay, organizations, and businesses came through loud and clear and supported us,” said Habitat for Humanity CEO Diane Mitchell.
“We had children through to adults, big corporations, small organizations that raised this money and put up this house for us.”
Mitchell said week three they were far from the finish line, it wasn’t till two days before the deadline that people came through to make the $50,000.
The extra $12,562 will be used as a contingency fund, and any money leftover will be saved for next year’s build.
Mother Taisha Hrycyshyn said she’s in shock at the amount of money raised.
“It’s mind blowing,” Hrycyshyn said. “How did we surpass it? Here I am thinking that we’re not going to make it and we passed it.”
Their current home provides little space for her son to move around, he is unable to eat meals with the family or watch movies.
The new house will give him the opportunity to spend time with his family, his siblings, and be around other family that visits.
The Finlayson Street home will be wheelchair accessible, open concept, and their son will have a large bedroom with a bathroom attached.
“It means everything,” she said. “It means that our son can be included in any activity we do as a family right down to meals.”
Construction on the 1,100 square foot home is set to begin in September. With hopes of the Hrycyshyn family moving into their new home by Christmas.
Habitat for Humanity is looking for volunteers to help with construction. For more information visit www.habitattbay.com
