A group of volunteers in Hague, Sask., are working hard to build new homes for families who lost them during last year’s Fort McMurray wildfires.
The Mennonite Disaster Service joined hands with Zak’s Building Group in Hague back in January. Together, the group began building houses in May and has since built three homes for Fort McMurray residents.
“I think it’s very exciting for them,” said Ike Epp, MDS’s project manager. “We’re trying to send them pictures as the house construction progresses and I’m sure there’s excitement on their behalf, seeing what’s going to be their new home on their Fort McMurray lot.”
What started with just a few volunteers has now seen several people from the local community and even across Canada help out. Jordan Chanin came all the way from the Lower Mainland in British Columbia.
“Out here it’s almost like every job that you do, you know that someone who doesn’t have a house right now is getting to experience and receive this new house and it just makes you want to do a better job,” Chanin said.
Zak’s Building Group supplies the materials to build the homes. Wyatt Zacharias is a partner with the group and says his company will eventually transport each home to Fort McMurray.
“The goal is to help as many people as we can,” he said. “I know MDS talked about as many as 15 homes, but we’re kind of seeing how things go and how many people step forward.”
Volunteers hope to have three homes finished and transported to Fort McMurray by the end of July.
