While the weather outside is frightful, members of a student fraternity in Peterborough will camp outdoors for 48 hours with the goal of drawing attention to the pressing need for affordable housing in the community.
Volunteers from the Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) student fraternity will once again be camping out in the parking lot of the Venture North building in downtown Peterborough from February 7 to 9, when they will be collecting donations for Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region (Habitat for Humanity PKR).
Proceeds from the 14th annual “TKE in a Box” fundraiser will specifically support Habitat for Humanity PKR’s efforts to provide individuals and families with opportunities for affordable homeownership. Donations will also be accepted online at give-can.keela.co/tke-in-a-box.
“For the past 13 years, TKE in a Box has been a tradition for our fraternity, bringing us together with the community to raise both awareness and funds for local charities in Peterborough,” said TKE chapter president Benjamin Hofmann in a media release.
“As the housing crisis continues to impact so many in Peterborough, it’s vital to support organizations like Habitat for Humanity PKR that provide affordable housing for families and individuals in need of stability. We’re hoping to raise over $5,000 to highlight the importance of addressing the lack of affordable housing in our community.”
Over the years, TKE in a Box has supported various local organizations, including One City Peterborough and One Roof. This year marks the fourth consecutive year it has partnered with Habitat for Humanity PKR.
Holly O’Connor, Habitat for Humanity PKR’s communications and marketing manager, said the organization is grateful to once again be the recipient of the fundraiser.
“We’re thrilled to partner with TKE again for this impactful event that takes place right in our downtown core,” O’Connor said.
“The last two years we’ve received over 400 calls from families in our community seeking affordable housing — a clear reminder of the urgent need for safe, decent and affordable homes in Peterborough.”
O’Connor told kawarthaNOW it would be “amazing” if the group hit its $5,000 target.
“But, even more than that, I hope the community comes out to visit, cheer them on, and really take the opportunity to connect with why affordable housing matters. At Habitat for Humanity PKR, we rely so much on community support, whether it’s advocacy, financial donations, volunteering, or gifts-in-kind from local businesses. That support is what keeps us building,” O’Connor said.
“Investing in affordable homes is investing in a stronger, more stable Peterborough and Kawartha Region. And the more people who are invested in our mission, the more we can actually build, and that means more families gaining the stability and opportunity that comes with affordable homeownership,” she explained.
Money raised from TKE in a Box will directly support Habitat for Humanity PKR’s efforts to build more affordable housing across the Peterborough and Kawartha Region. One upcoming initiative includes a multi-unit condo project that could provide up to 41 affordable homeownership opportunities for local families and individuals, including seniors and single parents.
Habitat for Humanity PKR provides local families and individuals with a “hand-up” into affordable homeownership, with no down payment and geared-to-income mortgage payments.
With Habitat’s assistance, the organization said homeowners “can achieve the stability, strength, and self-reliance they need to build better lives and are empowered to overcome the barriers that so often stand between their families and healthier, more financially stable futures.”
As for Tau Kappa Epsilon, the Peterborough chapter strives to help male-identifying students from Fleming College and Trent University improve and become better men for a better world.
