October 13, 2010

Publication title: The Record, vol. -, Iss. -, pg. –
Place: Unknown
Writer: Alfie Lau

Charity: Honour House

Allan De Genova made a promise to New Westminster Mayor Wayne Wright, and he fully intends to keep it.

“My plan all along was to have Honour House open by Nov. 11, 2010, and our plan right now is to have it open on Nov. 10,” said De Genova, president of the Honour House Society.

Honour House is the first of its kind in Canada, a care facility for first responders and recovering Canadian Forces personnel, and it will be located at the former Blue Spruce Cottage at 509 St. George St.

When the society took possession of the property seven months ago, the odds looked long to get the $2 million in renovations completed on the $2.3-million property before Remembrance Day.

But with volunteers all giving their time and energy selflessly – “It’s been 18-hour days for me every day,” said De Genova – the dream will soon become a reality.

“This facility will provide a refuge for the families of wounded and injured soldiers and first responders, such as firefighters and police officers, to stay during treatment and recuperation,” said De Genova. “This is the first of its kind in Canada and will service people from all throughout the province.

“I made a commitment to Wayne that we would have this open by Remembrance Day, and I always try to keep my word,” said De Genova.

While donations have covered a good portion of the renovations, De Genova is still scrambling for every penny that will go toward Honour House.

To that end, he has several big fundraisers planned for the next couple of weeks.

First on the calendar is a media event on Oct. 22 at the New Westminster No. 1 Firehall, where 154 first responders are scheduled to be on hand to represent 154 fallen soldiers who will be able to benefit from a stay at Honour House.

“We’re looking at having a Canada Forces helicopter fly and land here, and there will be police, fire and ambulance personnel on site,” said De Genova.

That event is the kickoff for the Oct. 23 and 24 fundraiser drive, Helmets for Heroes, which will see firefighters, police officers and paramedics on street corners throughout the province collecting money for Honour House.

That’s a prelude to the Thurs. Oct. 28 gala ball at the Sheraton Wall Centre in downtown Vancouver, where tables go for $2,500 per table and De Genova hopes to raise $300,000 in one night.

With a capacity of more than 800, De Genova said the event, for all intents and purposes, sold out in 10 days.

“We’ve sold 800 tickets and we’re trying to squeeze in a couple more tables,” said De Genova.

Oh, and did he mention who would be providing the entertainment?

“Sarah McLachlan has graciously offered to come and play live at this event , and it will be simulcast to our troops back in Afghanistan,” said De Genova.

And to complete the hat trick of fundraisers, on Nov. 9, the day before the official opening of Honour House, De Genova plans a Hard Hats for Heroes campaign, where volunteers will go to construction sites and sell commemorative stickers that can go on their hard hats. All funds raised will go to Honour House.

“Our target from all these events is $750,000,” said De Genova. “It’s going to a great cause, and I’m really looking forward to showing off what this will look like on Nov. 10.”

The 9,000-square-foot former adult daycare has been transformed into a state-of-the-art 10-bedroom, 10-bathroom care facility.

See www.honourhouse.ca for more information.