As many of you are aware we are big supporters of this important community service. Tracey has served on the Board of Directors for a number of years and is currently the Chairperson. The organization offers a variety of services to help woman and their children move beyond violence. They operate two shelters; Anselma House in Kitchener and Haven House in Cambridge plus regional outreach services for abused women and their children.

Recently Mary Zilney, the CEO, sent out a letter to supporters with some important news. This post is adapted from that letter.

"Back in early 2011, it was thought that the existing Haven House property would be appropriate for further expansion. Subsequently, a decision was made to proceed with a capital campaign to expand and renovate Haven House.  This information was disseminated back in June."

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We hope you enjoyed the Wine Tasting on October 27 at Hacienda Sarria as much as we did!

Many thanks to everyone that came out to this event, we raised over $5,000 for Women's Crisis Services of Waterloo Region to help fund Anselma House and had the opportunity to try some very fine wines.

Thank you for joining us on Thursday, and thank you for supporting Women's Crisis Services of Waterloo Region.

If you wish to make a donation to Women's Crisis Services of Waterloo Region, you can do this at this link: WCSWR.org/donate.html

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It looks like MCC has a good chance to win this contest! Watch the video and help the cause!

This is a great video produced by Ken Ogasawara and Jonathan Steckley at MCC Ontario in Kitchener. These folks have done a very engaging little video on energy conservation. Congratulations Ken and Jonathan!

They have entered the video in a contest at WattsNext.ca. They are trying to win a solar energy system for the MCC. The winner is the video with the most views... share it and watch it!

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Below is a recent press release from MennoHomes Inc.

JUNE 22, 2011

MennoHomes Inc. is a non-profit organization and a federally registered charity, as of September, 2001.  Its sole purpose, as enshrined in its charter, is to provide affordable housing to persons of low and modest income including, seniors, families, single persons and persons with disabilities.

Now in its 10th anniversary year, with the Elmira Build, MennoHomes will have helped create 100 units of housing worth over $10 million in affordable housing stock. The Elmira Build 2011 represents units #99 and #100.

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At Coldwell Banker Peter Benninger Realty we proudly celebrated our 25th Anniversary Year by sponsoring our third Habitat for Humanity Home in Kitchener-Waterloo.

You are invited to take advantage of a chance to donate some of your used stuff to a good cause.  Proceeds will go to the Canadian Diabetes Association.

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Knowing how to react in the event of an emergency can greatly improve an individual's chance of survival and avoiding serious injury. Unfortunately, when faced with a catastrophic event, panic can take over making it difficult to calmly assess the situation and make the right choices.

"It's a thousand times easier to remember what to do in the moment with practical training," says John Coish, Fire Prevention Officer for the City of Kitchener Fire Department.

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The Realtors and staff at Coldwell Banker Peter Benninger Realty are pleased to announce that we will begin our third Habitat for Humanity home build, made possible by the proceeds from our Building Dreams Gala in February 2010.

This Habitat home will be the first of 16 units in a townhouse condominium complex at 23 Howe Drive in Kitchener.

If you or any of your friends, relatives or business associates would be interested in participating in this fun and rewarding project, please visit our website at 2010Build.com. You can find more information on the Habitat for Humanity Waterloo Region website at hfhwr.ca.

No experience is necessary and it is a wonderful opportunity to learn about the building of a home from the ground up while helping a worthy family realize their dream of home ownership.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

Community Building with Coldwell Banker!

The real foundation of any home is the community that surrounds it. For some people, even the most modest home is out of reach.

At Coldwell Banker Peter Benninger Realty, we're dedicated to helping families everywhere find their perfect home. As we celebrate our 25th anniversary in 2010, we want to make that dream come true for another deserving family in Waterloo Region.

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Established in 1984, The Food Bank of Waterloo Region is a charitable, community-based organization that acquires and distributes donated food for families and individuals in need. They are part of the Canadian Association of Food Banks and the Ontario Association of Food Banks.

The Food Bank of Waterloo Region is a central distribution centre located at 50 Alpine Court, Kitchener which distributes food to 71 member agencies and food programs in the community, who in turn distribute food directly to those in need. You can find more information on their website.

Here is a list of the Top 10 items currently most needed by The Food Bank of Waterloo Region:

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We are delighted to report that the K-W Street Map & Service Guide has just hit the streets for the 7th time in 16 years. Soon 125,000 maps will be printed and close to 90,000 maps will be delivered by mid October through Canada Post to homes in Kitchener, Waterloo and Elmira.

By now you should have received your copy in the mail. If you have not received a map or would like additional copies, send us an email and we will get them to you.

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MennoHomes Inc. is a non-profit charitable organization founded in 2001 under the sponsorship of Mennonite Central Committee as a response to the need for affordable housing.

The urgent need for affordable housing for large rural families -- including Low German families -- was identified by MCC and four rural outreach workers:  Brenda Gingerich, Esther Janzen, Sue Martin and Shirley Redekop.

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