| Chair of the Board’s Year-End Message |
| We’re finally closing out another challenging year, and we have so many people to thank; Our amazing and dedicated ReStore volunteers who donate their valuable time and effort day after day. They are both the steadfast foundation and the future of Habitat for Humanity Thousand Islands; wonderful and selfless people who place others’ needs ahead of their own. Our hard-working ReStore employees who ensure that normal operations run smoothly and fantastic deals are always available every time we open the doors. Our volunteer Committee members that lend their expertise and talents so that we can move ahead with a unified vision of success. Our wonderful staff who handle the bookkeeping, the fundraising, and the never-ending behind-the-scenes administration tasks. Our community partners and donors who give so generously, and all the patrons of our ReStores in Brockville and Kemptville who love a great deal. And, of course, each of our volunteer Board Members who bring a lifetime of experience, grit, and the determination necessary to ensure that we will continue to be successful in pursuing our mission. Everyone at Habitat for Humanity Thousand Islands holds shared belief that every person deserves to have a safe and decent home, and during this year we were reminded of how many families out there are searching for just that sort of accommodation. Earlier this year we received over a hundred and fifteen applications during a three-week period for a single three-plus-one bedroom property in Prescott. We have just opened up the application for our Lockett Place project, as well, and we fully expect another staggering amount of interest. We’re also responding to this amount of need by asking everyone in our communities to donate something; your time, your used furniture, your excess building supplies, or your hard-earned money that we can put towards our next homes or housing projects. Thank you for your amazing and generous support through 2025, all the previous years, and in all the years yet to come. We’ve got a long way to go before our short-term goal of building 100 homes in our communities is fully realized, but with the continued support of everyone in the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, we’re sure to get there. From everyone at Habitat for Humanity Thousand Islands, we wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a safe and wonderful New Year in 2026. -Bill Spencer |
| From the Desk of our Executive Director |
| As we come to the close of another year, I want to take a moment to pause, reflect, and most importantly, say thank you. To our staff, volunteers, suppliers, customers, donors, and community partners, you are the reason for our success. Every role you play, whether seen or unseen, contributes directly to our shared mission: working toward a world where everyone deserves a safe and decent place to live. As I reflect on the past four and a half months in my role, what stands out most is the resilience of this organization and the people behind it. I have seen a team that is truly on a mission, one that shows up every day with purpose, care, and determination. That commitment is felt at our build sites, in our ReStores, and throughout the communities we serve. During this time, we have seen meaningful growth at our ReStores, which continue to be an incredible funding model that fuels our ability to build and support families. Beyond our day-to-day work, we have come together for impactful community events and initiatives, including Tincap/Habitat Cornfest, Concert at the Pews, and the 2nd Annual Professional Engineers of Ontario BBQ. We also partnered with Karra’s Burgers and Fries to raise funds for nine-year-old Charley, who is bravely battling cancer, which is an example of how compassion and community go hand in hand with our mission. Throughout the fall and holiday season, we connected with our communities through Halloween treat giveaways, a 50/50 raffle, Pictures with Santa at both ReStores, and an incredible team Christmas celebration. These moments matter. They build relationships, strengthen trust, and remind us that Habitat is about more than homes, it’s about people. This year brought tangible progress toward what matters most: families. We celebrated move-ins in Kemptville and Prescott, broke ground on Lockett Place, and made meaningful strides toward providing safe and decent homes for four new families through this project. These milestones are the result of collective effort, persistence, and belief in what we do. This letter is a sincere thank you, to each and every one of you, for your welcoming presence, your hard work, and your commitment. Whether you support Habitat through your time, expertise, donations, purchases, or advocacy, you are part of something bigger. You are helping to build homes, hope, and stronger communities. As we look ahead to the new year, I am excited about what we will accomplish together. Thank you for your trust, your dedication, and your continued belief in our mission. Wishing you and your loved ones a safe, restful, and joyful holiday season, and a happy New Year. With sincere appreciation, Anthony Conte Executive Director – Habitat for Humanity Thousand Islands |