Community Relations

HMCS Vancouver Crew Get Active in Their Community

By Chief Petty Officer 2^nd Class Robert Anderson

VICTORIA — Crewmembers of HMCS Vancouver have been raising the roof in support of Habitat for Humanity.

Credit:  CPO2 Robert Anderson Commanding Officer Commander Kurt Salchert (third from left) with members of HMCS Vancouver’s company in front of house number 4 at the work site in Sydney, B.C., modeling the tools of the trade.

Beginning in mid-2004, the crewmembers of HMCS Vancouver have been volunteering their weekends and evenings to Habitat for Humanity. The organization asks volunteers to help build houses for those who cannot afford to purchase their own home. Vancouver’s initiative involved a 6-home development in the greater Victoria area, as well as assisting with the start-up and lease-hold improvements to the newly opened Re-Store in Victoria, which sells used and donated building materials in direct support of Habitat for Humanity. 

As the dedication date loomed for houses 3 and 4 in the middle of the summer holiday period in early August, crew of HMCS Vancouver who were in a leave and maintenance period themselves volunteered to assist with some much-needed manpower to complete several labor-intensive jobs.

The Commanding Officer, Commander Kurt Salchert, granted permission for the members of his team who wished to volunteer to “report to the job site.” The CO himself answered the call from the community and reported for pick and shovel duty on a couple of very hot days in August. So many members of HMCS Vancouver have volunteered over the last year that they cannot all be credited in one article. However, at the dedication ceremony on August 11 John Banks, the Re-Store Manager for Habitat for Humanity Victoria, acknowledged all of them for their outstanding efforts and leadership in their community. 

The crewmembers of HMCS Vancouver at all rank levels showed strong leadership and great organizational skills in their support of Habitat for Humanity.

“We are very fortunate to have men and women like these helping with our programs,” said Mr. Banks. “The Re-store would not have been up and running on time without their hard work.”

Any service members interested in getting involved as a volunteer are encouraged to help out.

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