The newest chapter volunteering under the Habitat for Humanity Manitoba banner is the Neepawa chapter. Habitat Neepawa started in January 2024 and now at the end of August 2025 they're close to not only completing their first build project but also paying for that build project, with their sights on the second.
The committee has held multiple fundraisers and has also benefitted from organizations such as Tim Hortons Smile Cookie Campaign, Fuel Good Day with Neepawa-Gladstone Co-op, and HyLife Days.
"So, they've only been at it for about a year and half and they've done a phenomenal job of bringing that whole community together, just rallying around this cause and it's been really fun to watch!" shares Habitat Manitoba's rural support, Christina Falk. "It's a really great community, well organized with lots of people just wanting to volunteer and help each other out. And it's been really neat to meet that community and see how they work together."
The Neepawa team broke ground in May of this year and they've been working at a super-fast paced with the house build and are expected to have their new family moved into their new home this fall, says Falk. "They're very far along in a short amount of time."
"The local businesses have really stepped up and given some individual donations, and they've had great response from their local trades and businesses who have donated materials and labor and all kinds of things. It's been really neat," says Falk.
"It's a beautiful picture, in that it's not just about building a home, it's about bringing everyone together to accomplish a common goal..."
"In our chapters, they're totally community based. There are no staff in these chapters, they're all totally volunteer run," she explains. "And they really depend on the community to support the project financially and through time volunteering for all the different things they need to accomplish.
"The thing that we love about our Habitat Manitoba chapter is that they're really a picture of how Habitat for Humanity started," she says. "Community-based efforts where people come together to help their own and just lift each other up in the places where they're struggling. And we really see that in our chapters. Without community support, chapters cannot really function."
"It's a beautiful picture, in that it's not just about building a home, it's about bringing everyone together to accomplish a common goal," she adds. "I just love it; it's a beautiful picture of community!"
Their own fundraising initiatives include meal fundraisers, community Bingo nights and a golf tournament. But their newest fundraiser is a first-time for Habitat Manitoba, that being Chase the Ace.
"They are super-excited about this one, because in rural Manitoba as everyone knows Chase the Ace is quite popular and it's a really fun game to be a part of," says Falk.
Everyone is invited to purchase tickets and support the build project, and you don't have to be a resident or business owner of Neepawa to join. Visit the Habitat Manitoba website, under the Neepawa tab HERE to buy tickets.
Of course, the goal of the game is to choose the Ace of Hearts, however participants can win weekly prizes which is a percentage of the ticket sales from that week. Folks can see the accumulative grand prize totals, and the weekly sales and winnings by visiting the Neepawa Habitat website page. Within the first week the accumulated prize was over $5,000, and that pot is growing daily.
"We hope it continues for a while so that pot can continue to build up," says Falk with a laugh.
Weekly draws take place on Tuesdays on the Neepawa Chapters Facebook page HERE! Folks can also find pop-up ticket sale locations on this Facebook page as well where participants can purchase tickets in person.
"But even if you're not living in Neepawa, if you live anywhere in Manitoba, you can buy these tickets," reminds Falk. "This money is all going to help finish their current build. And they are already looking to fundraise for their next build, which they hope to do in the next two years."
All money raised stays in Neepawa
The funds raised from this most recent fundraiser will go towards completing the $250,000 build cost of this their first home, and if the Chase the Ace goes well, they will most likely be able to start the second home fundraising initiative.
Falk agrees $250,000 is a large about of money to raise for any community, which is what makes it so exciting to see these projects come to fruition. "But the other thing that I love about the Habitat model and the chapter model is that once those homeowners are in that home, they're purchasing that home, right? And they're paying mortgage payments to Habitat, and those mortgage payments stay there in Neepawa and they go towards the funding of the next house. So, at the chapters, even in small communities, the more houses you build, the more income you have coming in. And then your fundraising efforts don't need to be as huge as they were at the beginning.
"But as the chapter grows with more house builds, there will be less need for huge amounts of funds from the community and it becomes more of a self-sustaining project, which I just think is phenomenal. It's also those homeowners who get into their homes, and just by making their mortgage payment they are making it possible for another family to get a home, which is empowering for everybody," she adds.
"So this group is just on fire and ready to keep going!" adds Falk.
