The buildup

Home Sweet Home pub night in support of Habitat for Humanity

A pub night fundraiser will help drive home the importance of Habitat for Humanity, and the opportunities the group provides.

Hosted at the NSCC Pictou, Home Sweet Home Pub night Nov. 24 will feature local musicians Niki Veniot, Albert Dunnewold, Ashley George and The Collective. There will be Acropole pizza for sale by the slice and a cash bar featuring local beer on tap from Backstage Brewing and spirits from Nova Scotia Spirit Co. Alex Theriault from Classic Rock 97.9 will emcee the evening. It runs 4 to 9 p.m.

Pictou County’s Habitat for Humanity chair and Stellarton’s mayor Danny MacGillivray expects to see several hundred people at the pub night with a goal of raising $15,000. With sponsors like NSCC Pictou Campus, Mac Mac & Mac, Credit Union East Coast, ECFM, Classic Rock 97.9, and Results Realty, he says they are well on their way to reaching that goal.

Funds raised from the pub night will contribute to the $150,000 needed to build the chapter’s first home.

“We are off to a running start, and have the support of some generous sponsors, but there is lots of work to do,” says MacGillivray.

Considering the Pictou County’s Habitat for Humanity chapter only formed this past February, the committee has much to be proud of.

MacGillivray credits the success to having a very passionate group of people on board.

The group is in the process of securing land in Stellarton and is reviewing family applications. They hope to confirm both in the near future, says MacGillivray, with plans to start building in 2019.

On average, Habitat generates $175,000 of benefits to society, per home. These benefits come in the form of reduced reliance on social housing and food banks, better educational and employment outcomes, and improved health, he says.

Tickets for the Sweet Home Pub Night, restricted to those older than 19, are now on sale. Advance tickets are $20 each, with a free drink ticket at the door. Group ticket packages are $200, for eight entry tickets, eight drink tickets, an extra-large pizza, and reserved seating.

Sponsorship opportunities are also available and can be discussed by emailing pictoucounty@habitatns.ca. The group is also looking for volunteers.

All proceeds from this event will support Habitat for Humanity Pictou County’s first build.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Pictou County Weeks Crushers team members are shown here with Stephen Doane, left, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Nova Scotia and Danny MacGillivray, right, Chair of the Pictou County chapter of Habitat for Humanity NS. The Crushers have supported Habitat Pictou County at two information sessions early on when the chapter was newly formed.