BELLEVILLE – A local family of seven will be the newest recipients of one of Habitat for Humanities brand-new homes thanks to the Belleville Lions Club.

On Thursday afternoon, it was announced that the Lions would be donating $100,000 to Habitat for Humanity Prince Edward-Hastings for one of their community-built homes.

The Donald Street home in Belleville has just begun being built this month and will have five bedrooms, two bathrooms and will feature cost-saving technology like light-emitting diode (LED) lights.

The Lions’ made the donation in honour of the clubs 64 years in Belleville and to mark its 100th anniversary worldwide.

Habitat for Humanity Prince Edward-Hastings executive director Bob Clute said he had never received a donation of that size before.

Not only was he shocked by the amount, he also said he was impressed by the fact that it was all raised by Belleville’s Lions – a group of just 37 members.

“It really tells you something. I know what it takes to raise money,” said Clute. “The Lion’s Club have done it in spades.”

Habitat for Humanity helps build affordable (zero-interest with no down payment) homes with adjustable mortgage payments tailored to a family’s income.

But more importantly, the Donald Street residence will finally be a place where Sabrina Town and her husband Delano and their five children can call home.

“I am very excited for the opportunity because it’s going to change the future of not only myself but the future of my children drastically,” said Town. “We’ve been waiting for this opportunity.”

The family of seven currently live in Foxboro where they rent, something that Town said is hard and expensive to do given the size of her family.

She also added that she’s looking forward to contributing her 500 hours of required sweat equity into helping build her family’s “dream” home.

“They’re very excited,” she said. “They’re definitely looking forward to being somewhere where we can all be healthy and happy."

As for one Lion, he says this project has been one of the most exciting things he’s ever done in his life. 

“We wanted to do something big for the community and to the legacy of the Belleville Lions Club,” said president Larry Brown. “It just took off from there.”

Over the years, the Lions have collected the money through various means like the bingo hall and from donations, Brown added.

“We’re very, very proud,” he said. “It takes a lot of sweat and equity.”

The Lions will also be donating their time, as they will be helping build the home throughout the entire process.

Depending on volunteer help, the home is set to be finished by September said Clute.