Team builder
Don Gray helps volunteers develop confidence, skills on builds over the past five years for Habitat for Humanity P.E.I.
Don Gray helps volunteers develop confidence, skills on builds over the past five years for Habitat for Humanity P.E.I.
Don Gray knows how to build houses.
He also knows how to bring out the best in people.
In the past five years,the construction manager with Habitat for Humanity P.E.I. (HFHPEI) has matched thousands of volunteers with jobs and watched them spring into action during 22 builds for the not-for-profit organization.
“It’s something that I really enjoy doing. Of the 22 families that I have built for, I really like them all,” Gray says with a broad smile.
The secret to his success is people showing up.
“Everybody who comes to work on a build day is usually motivated and wants to help and we will find something for them to do.”
Even beginners get assigned essential tasks.
“If someone can’t swing a hammer, they can move plywood or frame the walls. They can also move trusses and build staging.”
For volunteers who really want to learn more, it can be an educational experience of a lifetime.
In the past, he has instructed beginners in the art of driving nails, rough framing a house, installing plywood, standing up wall frames and building roofs.
“If we have 35 people and 32 don’t have any skills, I will teach them how to build. If people want to learn, I’ll teach them.”
For instance, Gray tells the story of a mother and daughter volunteer team who showed up at a build three years ago with no experience.
“After introducing themselves they said, ‘Don, we’re here for three weeks. We want you to teach us how to build. We want to learn.’”
At the time, HFHPEI was building three houses on the same road and many workers were required. So he taught
Reserve
Saturday, Jan. 23, 8:30-10:30 a.m., for a pancake breakfast to be held at Park Royal Church gymnasium. The menu includes pancakes, scrambled eggs, Riverside Market fresh sausages, tea, coffee, apple juice and orange juice. The price is $8 for adults, $4 children under 12 or $20 per family. Tickets are available after church on Sundays or by calling the church office at 902-894-9656.
Classes
Fitness classes for those 50 and over are Mondays and Fridays, 9 a.m., at the Milton Community Hall. Admission is $3 or two people for $5. The focus is on balance and flexibility. Coffee Club (by donation) follows at 10 a.m. For more information, call 902-368-3090.
An introduction to Buddhism is in Montague, Mondays, 7 p.m. For information, including location, contact Michele, 902-838-3308, or email searchforhappiness982@gmail.co m.
Yoga classes are at Tracadie Community Centre, Tuesdays, 9:30 a.m. Call Frances Dougan, 902-6762060.
Yoga classes are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at Trinity United Church, Charlottetown. Contact Judith Merrill, www.spiritpath.ca, jmerrill@islandtelecom.com or 902-892-3147.
Yoga classes are at noon on Tuesdays at Stratford Recreation Centre, 234 Shakespeare Dr. New students are welcome. Contact Joan, bfitjv@gmail.com.
Meetings
T.O.P.S. #PE660 meets Mondays in the community room of the Sobeys just past the Charlottetown Mall, with weigh-in 6-6:30 p.m. and the meeting 6:30-7:30 p.m. (elevator available). Call Kari, 902892-1100.
The P.E.I. Sociable Singles meetand-greet is Mondays, 7 p.m., in the West Royalty Community Centre, Room No. 6, corner of Lower Malpeque Road and Kirkdale Road for those over 40 years. Google P.E.I. sociable singles or call Edith, 902-892-3970, or Nadine, 902-5665899.
Island Treasures Needle Art Guild meets Mondays at the St. Eleanor’s Community Centre, 7 p.m. Call Shelley, 902-436-8795. Hampshire Friendship Club for Weight Loss and Healthy Living meets Tuesdays, 8:45 a.m., at Hampshire Hall. Call Jean, 902621-0398.
T.O.P.S. PE #5051 Charlottetown meets Tuesdays, 6-8 p.m., at the Sherwood Rec Hall. Call Margaret at 902-566-9991.
Cardigan T.O.P.S. meets Tuesdays, 6 p.m., at the Cardigan village office. New members are welcome to call Karen Wood, 902-676-2978. T.O.P.S. PE 3715, North River, meets Tuesdays at the North River Fire Hall (back door entrance). Weigh-in is at 5:45 p.m. with the meeting at 6:30 p.m. All are welcome. Call Cynthia, 902-566-4680. T.O.P.S. PE809, Hunter River, meets Tuesdays in the music room, Central Queens Elementary School, Hunter River. Weigh-in begins at 6:30 p.m., and the meeting is at 7 p.m. New members are welcome. Call Cathy, 902-628-2069, or Carolyn, 902-964-2417.
The Lady’s Slipper Needle Arts Guild meets the second and fourth Tuesday of the month, 7 p.m., at Winsloe United Church, 121 Winsloe Rd. (Route 223), South Winsloe. Anyone with a passion for needlework of any kind or who wishes to learn is invited to take part. New members and visitors are welcome. Call Heather, 902621-0248.
Presentations
Christian meditation is Tuesdays at the Martha Spirituality Centre, SDU Place, Great George Street, Charlottetown (enter off King Street), 9:30-10:15 a.m. and 7:15-8 p.m. Join this simple and ancient form of prayer. All denominations are welcome. Call 902-367-3103 or email srgemma@eastlink.ca. Donations are accepted. Lectio Divina (sacred reading and reflection) on Mark’s Gospel is every Wednesday at the Martha Spirituality Centre at SDU Place on Great George Street, 11 a.m. until noon, led by Sr. Gemma Dunn and Sr. Della Gaudet. To inquire or register, call 902-367-3103 or message srgemma@eastlink.ca . Donations are accepted.
Community
Coffee club is Mondays and Fridays, 10 a.m., at the Milton Community Hall. Enjoy coffee and conversation. Admission is a donation of coin or sweets.
Bridge is at the Seniors Active Living Centre, CARI complex, UPEI, Mondays, 1 p.m.
Progressive 45s are at the Souris Silver Threads Club, Mondays, 7:30 p.m.
Afton’s weekly card parties (Auction 45s) are Mondays, 7:30 p.m., at the Afton Community Centre in New Dominion. Lunch will be provided.
Card play singles is at the Mount Stewart Fire Hall, Mondays, 7:30 p.m.
Card parties are at the Kellys Cross Community Centre, Mondays at 7:30 p.m.
Mayflower Seniors Club cards is Mondays, 7:30 p.m., at the Cotton Centre, Bunbury Road, Stratford.
Cash bingo is at the Kingston Legion Branch 30, New Haven, Monday and Friday, 7:30 p.m., with a 50/50 draw, progressive jackpot and canteen.
Weekly cards and crokinole are at the Spring Valley Community Hall, Mondays, 7:30 p.m. There will be a 50/50 and door prize.
Crokinole is played weekly at Warren Grove Community Centre on Mondays, 7:30 p.m. There will be lunch and a 50/50 draw. All are welcome.
The Seniors Active Living Centre, CARI complex UPEI will be having a public Euchre tournament on Tuesday, Jan 12. Registration is at 12:45 p.m., with the tournament starting at 1 p.m. Admission is $5 per person. There will be a 50/50 draw as well as prizes for first, second and third.
The Cornwall and Area 50+ Club
meets weekly at the Cornwall Civic Centre on Tuesdays at 1:30 pm for auction and cribbage. Skip Bo is played on Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. Admission is $2.
Mayflower Seniors Club cards is Tuesdays, 1:30 p.m., at the Cotton Centre, Bunbury Road, Stratford.
Bridge is played at the Silver Threads Club in Souris on Tuesdays at 7 p.m.
Novice Bridge is at the Charlottetown Duplicate Bridge Club (161 St. Peter’s Rd.) on Tuesdays, 7 p.m. All beginning bridge players are welcome. Experienced bridge players will be on hand to help with bidding and play. Contact Ray Malone at 902-368-8416 or rpmalone@eastlink.ca.
ACBL sanctioned duplicate
game is Tuesdays, 7-10 p.m., at the Haviland Club, Charlottetown, with a guaranteed partner and fun relaxed play, as well as a mini lesson at 6:30 p.m. Contact irene.macarthur@pei.sympatico.ca, 902-569-3180 or www.overthebridgeclub.com.
Crib cards are played at the Kensington Lions Club on Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m.
Vernon River Cards are Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m., at St. Joachim’s Parish Hall.
Auction 45s is played at the Star of the Sea Seniors Club, North Rustico, Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m. There is also a 50/50 draw and lunch.
Weekly card parties (45s) are at Tracadie Community Centre, Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m. The game is singles, and there is a toonie pot. A light lunch will be served.