On Tuesday, two enthusiastic teams of REALTORS^® endured the heat and poured out sweat at two Habitat for Humanity five-plex builds in the community of Bowness.

This wasn’t just an ordinary build day though, this was the second annual Golden Hammer Challenge—a friendly—affordable home building competition.

Not only did the build day participants experience a day of building homes, team-building and camaraderie, there was also a fun “Golden Hammer” competition. Between the drywall install, painting and buckets of sweat equity, contestants participated in a hammer toss, safety drills, donut relay and a coffee run trivia game for the coveted Golden Hammer.

As they hurried to drive the nails and set the screws, these REALTORS^® proved to be a competitive and capable bunch with the light shirts slightly edging out their opponents in the dark shirts. 

A strong relationship with roots

The CREB^® Charitable Foundation has a long-standing relationship with Habitat for Humanity to help families build strength, stability and independence through affordable home ownership. This year, the CREB^® Charitable Foundation announced a three-year $1,000,000 partnership with Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta. The Golden Hammer challenge is just one build day in a series of 27 in which CREB^® REALTORS^® will participate.

“We are so grateful for the incredible commitment the CREB^® Charitable Foundation has made to us," said Gerrad Oishi, president & CEO, Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta. "Our partnership is unique because as REALTORS^®, they really understand the stability that home ownership can bring to families. Together we’re going to help transform the lives of working families with children for generations to come.”

Every Habitat home is the result of tremendous support, through donations of funds, contributions of building materials, skilled labour and volunteer work. 

The two five-plex builds that were worked on at the Golden Hammer build day are only half of Habitat’s developments in Bowness. All together, Habitat will help 20 local families buy their first home through a no down-payment, no interest mortgage in Bowness this year.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Golden Hammer challenge.

Watch the volunteer portal for upcoming build days and other CREB^® Charitable Foundation opportunities.