LumberZone helped organize the Supply-Build Canada Hockey for Habitat event .
Timberkids is TIMBER MART ’ s national children ’ s charitable foundation .
Kamloops , BC - Home Hardware operates “ Grow a Row ” campaign for the local community .
Star Building Products in Calgary organizes “ Ride Through the Rockies ” each year .
Shopping at a local building supply store is rewarding in other ways too . Many owners and managers are former contractors or tradespeople . They have a wealth of experience to share – all an intrepid DIY-er has to do is ask ! Visiting a location where the staff have this depth of product knowledge ensures you go home with the right items the first time . They can also let you know where the products were manufactured , and which are best suited for your climate .
Locally owned and operated businesses keep money and jobs within their own communities ! They are places where young people find work experience and , given the entrepreneurial spirit of the building supply industry , often discover an on-ramp to lifelong , rewarding careers . These businesses are often the first to support local school fundraisers , sports teams and leagues , and charitable organizations . Recently , Joel Hartung , who owns and operates three locations of The LumberZone in Manitoba , worked with Supply- Build Canada to arrange a charity hockey game that raised $ 40,000 for Habitat for Humanity . Likewise , Ken Crockett , Vice President of Star Building Materials , organizes an annual bike ride , “ Ride Through the Rockies ” that has , to date , raised over $ 1,000,000 for Habitat for Humanity – an organization dedicated to providing housing for families that wouldn ’ t otherwise be able to purchase a home . Many big box stores , although they may hire locally , send the majority of their profits elsewhere , including outside of Canada .
Local building supply retailers are your neighbors , and in many cases , your family and friends . They ’ ve been building and supporting our communities in Canada for over a hundred years . Now is a great time to support them back .
Supply-Build Canada , www . supplybuild . ca