Money needed for roof

Fundraisers organized to help cover costs

The co-ordinator of the House of Healing is hoping the community will help pay for a new roof.

Peter Arapis said the building’s leaky roof is continuing to deteriorate and $30,000 is needed to pay for a new one.

“The roof keeps getting worse,” said Arapis, who insists the church will not close because it is needed in the community.

A leak in the main chapel of the church was first noticed in February.

A Raise the Roof for House of Healing GoFundMe campaign has been started and so far, $2,927 has been raised.

The campaign can be accessed at https://www. gofundme.com/raise-the-rooffor-house-of-healing.

Arapis said the House of Healing is a registered notfor-profit corporation with a growing congregation that has helped each other through difficult times.

Other fundraisers are being held to help pay for the roof. On Saturday, a hotdog and hamburger barbecue will take place at the church from 2-6 p.m. As well donations of clothes or counter-top appliances are being accepted on Fridays from 6-7 p.m.

“We have an organization who will pay for these items.”

Arapis and his wife Heather are originally from Toronto. They purchased the former St. Eugene’s church in November 2016 and have reopened it as the House of Healing Church of Cape Breton.

There are 200 members and more than 50 people use the food bank which opens at 6 p.m. on Fridays, followed by a healing service at 7 p.m. A Sunday service is held at 6:30 p.m.

“For a community building to work it has to have community support. We are hoping the community will get involved in this project, be part of this with us.”