Vancouver, B.C. (April 27, 2022) – A truckload of construction materials, including cabinetry, lumber, flooring, and lighting, donated by companies across Western Canada are going to Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver thanks to an appeal facilitated by the Vancouver Convention Centre and BUILDEX Vancouver.

“We are always looking for opportunities to combine our passion for sustainable events with community impact,” said Claire Smith, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the Vancouver Convention Centre. “The initiative was originally intended to help rehome some of the larger items exhibitors may want to leave behind because of the cost and environmental impact of transport. We found that BUILDEX and their exhibitors were so supportive of the partnership with Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver that it evolved into a successful donation drive.”

BUILDEX Vancouver, Western Canada’s leading exhibition and conference for the building industry, hosted its annual event at the Vancouver Convention Centre in late March. Businesses ranging from architectural product companies to flooring and roofing suppliers showcased their best products. This is the second appeal the Vancouver Convention Centre and BUILDEX Vancouver facilitated to benefit Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver. To date, BUILDEX Vancouver exhibitors have donated items with a total estimated value of $20,000.

“It’s been a difficult year for many businesses, which makes it even more inspiring that many of our exhibitors jumped at the opportunity to make a difference,” said James Wyatt, Show Manager for BUILDEX Vancouver. “Bringing the construction, design and property management industries together as a community is what BUILDEX is about, and we are so proud of how our exhibitors have gone above and beyond to support Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver. We are thrilled to have partnered with the Vancouver Convention Centre to bring this initiative to life.”

Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver’s mission is to foster self-reliance and independence for low to middle-income working families, creating stability for their children and building equity through affordable housing.

“We are very grateful to the Vancouver Convention Centre and BUILDEX Vancouver for organizing this generous donation,” said Scott Alsop, Procurement Manager for Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver. “Every home we build helps create $175,000 worth of benefits to the local community. The donations we received from BUILDEX Vancouver exhibitors will have a ripple effect beyond their initial value and help us end the cycle of poverty through affordable housing.”

 

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About the Vancouver Convention Centre: The Vancouver Convention Centre is a part of BC Pavilion Corporation (PavCo), a Provincial Crown Corporation of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture. Since opening in 1987, our mandate has been to generate economic and community benefits for British Columbia through the management and marketing of the province's premier convention and exhibition facility.

About Habitat for Humanity of Greater Vancouver: One of 55 Habitat for Humanity affiliates across Canada, Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver provides a hand up out of the poverty cycle for hard-working local families. Habitat for Humanity builds safe and affordable housing as a first step into the traditional housing market by providing families with an equity build model based on monthly shelter payments capped at 30 per cent of family income. Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver has built 63 homes throughout Metro Vancouver and will be commencing an additional 43 units in 2023, which will help approximately 500 families and over 1500 children over the lifespan of the homes. To learn more or to apply for housing, please visit www.habitatgv.ca.