The 2020 Classic Car Raffle revved up and ready to help provide attainable housing

Photo: Contributed

Habitat for Humanity Kamloops is getting revved up for its second annual classic car raffle that will help to provide attainable housing for families, as well as seniors and veterans, across all four of their regions in B.C.

This year, a lucky winner will get the keys to a dark cherry red, 1968 Pontiac Beaumont convertible with soft, deep black leather interior — just one of 47 built that year.

This fully restored car is a product of Tappen’s, Mike Hall and his crew at Rust Bros., which is featured on the History Channel’s reality show Rust Valley Restorers.

It’s that kind of support from local businesses, groups and individuals that is helping Habitat Kamloops provide the much-needed assistance in placing seniors, veterans and families in attainable housing.

One project Habitat Kamloops is working on specifically for veterans is in Enderby, B.C., and it will provide 60 housing units.

“We also have a need for about 100 units in Vernon, and Revelstoke is about the same amount,” says Rex Landis, a veteran and Habitat’s procurement and donations coordinator.

“We see this as a much-needed lift for veterans and seniors,” Landis says. “Since John Rose, GM of our ReStore, and Scott Lukianchuk, Habitat’s warehouse and construction manager, and I are all veterans, we know where our veterans and seniors are coming from as well as what a struggle it is to afford decent housing.”

Rose says many veterans depend solely on their small retirement pensions for financial support, which makes housing costs a concern.

“A lot of veterans are dealing with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), which can affect their ability to get hired and supplement their income,” Rose says. “When I tell people about the help Habitat Kamloops can offer, it brings tears to their eyes.”

The opportunity to help make attainable housing a reality for people is what Lukianchuk values.

“I am lucky enough to have a job with a company that is not just about making profits,” he says. “We can actually make a difference in all the communities we serve. The fact that we can help seniors and veterans makes me proud to be a part of Habitat Kamloops.”

Tickets for the 2020 Classic Car Raffle are $25 each and are available online from Habitat Kamloops’ website as well as at the Kamloops Restore. The 2020 draw will be held Dec. 16 at 12:15 p.m. on CFJC’s Midday show.

Landis adds that tickets will likely be sold out quickly, so buyers will need to act fast to ensure they have a chance at the big prize which will be featured in the upcoming new season of Rust Valley Restorers, starting in early December.

For more information about Habitat for Humanity Kamloops, visit online at: habitatkamloops.com.