CALGARY HOME BUILDERS FOUNDATION – THE BEGINNING

In late 1988, Jim Forden approached Syd Loeppky with the idea that as members of CHBA we were benefiting a lot from the housing industry in Calgary and surrounding area. We started to think that as an Association, maybe we could give something back to our Community.

We felt that a Foundation of some sort would start the ball rolling. After Syd Loeppky did some sounding out of other members of CHBA, we presented a proposal at one of the Dinner Meetings that CHBA set up a Foundation. The proposal was approved and the formation of the Foundation was on its way.

At our first board meeting the Directors were - Al Bell, Sandy Cameron, Jim Forden (as a Board member and President), Sid Loeppky, Mary Lawson and Bob Ward. It was proposed that the Foundation would seek out projects that involved planning, construction and finance. It was also decided that the projects would involve an existing not-for-profit charitable organization in the City.

First and foremost was the need to create the legal structure for the Foundation.  Fortunately, Sandy Cameron helped us through the legal intricacies and mechanics of setting up the Foundation. And most fortunately, he did all the legal work that was required – a more than small achievement.

While we were trying to determine what our first major project should be, Gary Mummery completed several smaller projects on behalf of the Foundation.

Mary Lawson suggested that we look at the Children’s Cottage Society and their activities - helping families and children in crisis. When we contacted the Society it was determined that our best efforts would be to provide the Society with a residence where they could house the children who were in crisis.

By April of 1990, we had set a target of $500,000 for our Fund Raising efforts.

A site was tentatively found near the old General Hospital. In June of 1991, we adopted a proposal from the Children’s Cottage Society that included construction and financing of a residence for their use. Plans were drafted and eventually approved by the Children’s Cottage Society and ultimately by our Board.

Mary Lawson resigned in June of that same year and Al Westman joined the Board.

By December of 1991, our Board was joined by Maurice Chornoboy, John Goetz, Brian Hodgson, Gary Mummery, Ann Stewart, and Marv Thielman. Bob Thomas was appointed President. Final approval was given to proceed with the construction of the building for the Children’s Cottage.

In July 1992, Larry Farmer joined the Board and in November of that year Jim Forden resigned as Treasurer due a physical disability.

The Foundation has continued to prosper and continues to carry out its charitable activities.

- Jim Forden – CHBF Past President

When I look back at the 28 years that I have been associated with our industry in Calgary, one thing stands out–the willingness to share with and give back to the many and needy causes that are presented to us by the citizens of Calgary.

When I look at the projects that our Foundation has participated in and when you realize that those projects, as big as they have become, represent only a fraction of the philanthropy that our industry has been able to sponsor, only then can you appreciate the tremendous impact that the CHBA -Calgary Region, its members and of course, our Foundation have had on our City.

I was not involved at the beginning of the Foundation; however in my 15 years of involvement there is hardly a day goes by that I am not a witness to our Community of Giving. The faces have changed over the years, some are still with us; some are not. Some you would recognize for they are or have been the captains of our industry. But more often than not, they are the men and women who represent our co-workers, our staff, our friends, who day after day deeply care about our community and without their gifts of volunteering and giving, your Foundation would not have achieved the success that today they can claim as their very own.

To all those faces, I say Congratulations, for you can be proud of what you have done.

- Monte Kendall – CHBF Past President

“It has been fascinating to watch our children grow and mature and it has been equally fascinating to watch the progress of the Calgary Home Builders Foundation.  I have been privileged to be a part of that progress watching the Foundation start as an idea, come into existence, take small steps such as the ARBI project, and then grow and mature to be able to undertake a project as large as the Inglewood Affordable Housing project.”

“My philosophy is that we have a responsibility to assist those who are less fortunate than ourselves. The Foundation has given me an outlet where I, and many others, can satisfy that duty by giving us an opportunity to increase affordable housing for those in need.”

“When I look at what the Foundation has accomplished I have a sense of pride. The list of people who have been assisted by the Foundation includes: small children and their parents who need accommodation while in Calgary for medical needs, the brain injured, those who need shelter at affordable costs, seniors, those referred by Mental Health, teenagers who cannot function in their own homes or who do not fit in the normal foster home systems, and the list goes on and on.”

“While it was not the intention in creating the Foundation, I like to think that all of us who have been active in the Foundation have become better people as a consequence.”

- Sandy Cameron – CHBF Past President

“For the Calgary Home Builders Foundation, if success can be measured by the completion of a project then we are truly successful. Each of the 11 projects completed by CHBF represents the efforts of countless volunteers and untallied hours of service. Translated to a more meaningful number - shelters built by Calgary Home Builders Foundation represents over 4300 beds that have been made available for Calgary’s most deserving residents. This is truly the spirit of the Calgary Home Builders Foundation’s achievements, and it has been my honor to be involved.”

- Bill McFarlane - CHBF Past President

“Having a new, secure and affordable place to live provides a fresh start in life”.

- Stakeholder

“Having safe and affordable housing is one of the cornerstones of human growth and development”.

- Stakeholder

“Having the security of a safe, comfortable, new and affordable place to live allows people to then think about goals and accomplishing them”.

- Stakeholder