Eleven Year Old Bensen Wilmer Chosen Amongst 10,000 Entries as the Winner of Genworth Canada’s 10th Annual Meaning of Home Contest in Support of Habitat for Humanity Canada

TORONTO, March 9, 2017 /CNW/ – Students in grades 4, 5 and 6 were asked “What is the Meaning of Home?” More than 10,000 students from across the country responded to Genworth Canada’s 10th Annual Meaning of Home Contest, in support of Habitat for Humanity Canada. The 2017 winning entry belonged to Bensen Wilmer, an 11 year old student from Victoria, British Columbia. Bensen has selected Habitat for Humanity Iqaluit to be the beneficiary of a $50,000 grant to help make a difference in Indigenous communities. An additional $5,000 was awarded to 10 second-place winners.

Bensen’s win will help a family in need of safe, decent housing build a home in Iqaluit. Along with the charitable grant, Bensen’s school will receive a $1,000 donation. Bensen will be given an iPad to celebrate his win, along with a pizza party for his class.

“It’s extremely rewarding to see the record number of students from coast to coast who participated in our 10th Anniversary of the Meaning of Home contest.  We are proud of this campaign which has helped to increase awareness about the need for affordable homeownership in Canada.  Bensen’s poem highlighted the benefits of homeownership, including the sense of acceptance, safety and warmth that it brings,” said Stuart Levings, President and CEO, Genworth Canada.

[…]

We open our doors with neighbours with whom we share.

We host international students showing the world we care.

Home is a feeling in our hearts.

It’s not just a building that can be torn apart.

(Bensen’s full submission can be viewed at www.meaningofhome.ca)

“We’re tremendously thankful for Genworth Canada’s continued support of Habitat Canada and the families we serve,” said Mark Rodgers, President and CEO, Habitat Canada. “Since 2000, Genworth Canada and its employees have generously contributed nearly $4 million and countless volunteer hours working alongside Habitat future homeowners to build strength, stability, and independence through affordable homeownership. Thanks to this partnership and the Genworth Meaning of Home Contest, we’ve been able to educate the next generation of Canadians on how important it is to have a safe and decent home.”

As part of the 10th Anniversary, the contest included 10 grants of $5,000 each to be directed to a local Habitat of the deserving winners from Paradise, Newfoundland to North Battlefield, Saskatchewan to Kelowna, British Columbia. In addition, 10 classrooms will enjoy a pizza party courtesy of each winning entrant. The 10 second-place winners and their beneficiaries are:

1. Nyah Barrett – Paradise, Newfoundland – Habitat Newfoundland & Labrador

2. Amanda Kavanagh – Marystown, Newfoundland – Habitat Newfoundland & Labrador

3. Samara Dolinsky – Victoria, British Columbia – Habitat Victoria

4. Kaedan Rosman â€“ Salmon Arm, British Columbia – Habitat Okanagan
5. Trinity Campbell – Penetanguishene, Ontario – Habitat South Georgian Bay

6. River Doherty – St. Andrews West, Ontario – Habitat Seaway Valley

7. Isabella Michel-Decker – Westmount, Québec – Habitat Québec

8. Nelly-Anne Robitaille – Levis, Québec – Habitat Québec

9. Jasmine Bouchard – North Battlefield, Saskatchewan – Habitat Saskatoon (Battlefords Chapter)

10. Bayan Assaf – Fort McMurray, Alberta – Habitat Wood Buffalo

Students were also invited to submit videos describing what home means to them for a chance to win additional prizes.  View the winning video from a grade six class from Oakville, Ontario at www.youtube.com/meaningofhome.

All entries can be viewed at www.meaningofhome.ca

About Genworth MI Canada Inc.

Genworth MI Canada Inc. (TSX: MIC) through its subsidiary, Genworth Financial Mortgage Insurance Company Canada (Genworth Canada), is the largest private residential mortgage insurer in Canada.  The Company provides mortgage default insurance to Canadian residential mortgage lenders, making homeownership more accessible to first-time homebuyers. Genworth Canada differentiates itself through customer service excellence, innovative processing technology and a robust risk management framework. For more than two decades, Genworth Canada has supported the housing market by providing thought leadership and a focus on the safety and soundness of the mortgage finance system.  As at December 31, 2016, Genworth Canada had $6.6 billion total assets and $3.6 billion total shareholders’ equity. Find out more at www.genworth.ca.

About Habitat for Humanity Canada
Founded in 1985, Habitat for Humanity Canada is a national, non-profit organization working toward a world where everyone has a decent and affordable place to call home. Habitat for Humanity brings communities together to help families build strength, stability and independence through affordable homeownership. With the help of volunteers, Habitat homeowners and 56 local Habitats working in every province and territory, we provide a solid foundation for better, healthier lives in Canada and around the world. Habitat for Humanity Canada is a member of Habitat for Humanity International, which was established in 1976 and has grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in more than 70 countries. For more information, please visit www.habitat.ca.

SOURCE Genworth MI Canada

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