August 15, 2008
It was with the greatest of pride that members of LO’s Georgian Lakelands chapter took part in the 72 hour blitz to build a home to raise funds for Gilda’s House in Barrie.

The Greater Barrie Home Builders Association (GBHBA) and the Barrie Construction Association (BCA) joined forces to build a home between June 20 and 22 to benefit Gilda’s Club. The fundraising plan involved building a house from the ground up, selling it and then donating the proceeds to Gilda’s Club. The funds from the sale will go to Gilda’s Open the Red Door Capital Campaign.

Georgian Lakelands Chapter teamed up with the Greater Barrie Home Builders Association and the Barrie Construction Association to build a home in 72 hours. And, what a time it was. “To watch trades people give so freely of their time and expertise was amazing,” said LO’s Denis Flanagan. “It was one of the most impressive scenes I have viewed in a long time.” Most of the people present that day were amazed to see a home built from top to bottom in just 72 hours.

Members of the LO Chapter donated their time and knowledge to landscape the home. “This project would not have been so successful without everyone’s contribution,” said Chapter president Mark Goodman of Enviroking Lawn Care. “We are excited to be a part of Gilda’s Club and look forward to landscaping their new facility in 2009,” said Mark.

He offered many thanks to Sunsational Landscaping, Lees Landscaping, Jeff Argue Landscaping, Creative Gardens, Enviroking Lawn Care, Lakelands Irrigation, Hardship Acres Landscaping, Botanix, Garden Maintenance Only, Dave Hulmond, Bob Adams, Tony DiGivanni, Denis Flanagan, Larfarge, Cochrane Sod and Unilock.

All proceeds from the sale of the home will be donated to benefit Gilda’s Club of Barrie www.buildforgildas.com.

The Chapter is also raising funds at its upcoming combination Golf Day and Trade Show, set for August 21st, 2008, at Tangle Creek Golf and Country Club, in Thornton. An outdoor trade show on site runs from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Gilda’s Club is named in honour of Gilda Radner, who, when describing the emotional and social support she received when she had cancer, called for such places to be made available for people with cancer and their families and friends everywhere. The organization provides free, non-residential, not-for-profit support to anyone touched by cancer.

The Gilda’s Club Barrie Ontario clubhouse will be built adjacent to the future Cancer Care facility on land donated by the hospital, alongside Rotary House. The overnight lodge will accommodate people receiving treatment at the cancer centre.

Plans are to build a 10,000 square foot clubhouse at an estimated cost of $2.5 million. Funds will be raised through a fundraising campaign giving individuals, families and businesses the opportunity to “Open the Red Door” to a world of opportunity for those touched by cancer, helping them live richer and more meaningful lives.

The funds raised will cover the cost of construction and will also provide operational funding for the first one to two years, given that the Gilda’s Club program is offered free of charge to members.

The Georgian Lakelands Chapter is LO is very proud to be involved in such a worthwhile project.


Captions:
A total team effort completes the task.
LO president Robert Adams preps the driveway for the house.