Signing on the dotted line for Pauline and Simon Hunt

By David F. Rooney

An agreement between Habitat for Humanity and the Revelstoke Community Housing Society to provide a badly needed expansion to Pauline and Simon Hunt’s tiny little house at 419 6th Street East was signed, sealed and delivered during a brief public ceremony at the Powder Springs Inn on Tuesday.

For those readers who don’t know the Hunts, Pauline was diagnosed a couple of years ago with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis — also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Her husband Simon works for Parks Canada and they have two young children, Emily and Madeline. The diagnosis was a terrible blow to the young couple whose home has just 850 square feet. That’s not nearly enough for their needs. In the past two years Pauline had gone from being physically independent to at least part-0time reliance on a walker. Inevitably she will need a wheelchair and their home has to be prepared for that eventuality.

“I am so grateful to have the prospect of a comfortable and sustainable expansion in our future,” Pauline said after the brief early afternoon signing ceremony at McGregor’s in the Powder Springs Inn.

“This is going to be a project that the whole community will get behind,” Chairman Mark McKee said after signing for the Revelstoke Community Housing Society.

Lona Manning, executive director of Habitat for Humanity’s Kelowna Branch, said she was very impressed with the way Revelstoke has rallied behind the Hunts.

“Things have a way of working themselves out in the end,” said Simon Hunt. “With the love and support of our friends we’ll make this happen.”

Click here to read more about this project and to see its designs.

Click here to learn more about Habitat for Humanity Kelowna.

Here are some photos from this brief event:

Lona Manning, executive director of the Habitat for Humanity in Kelowna signs the agreement between her organization and the Revelstoke Community Society to help provide the Hunt Family with the expansion they need to help accommodate Pauline Hunt’s expanding at-home medical needs. Pauline (at the left with her husband Simon) has ALS, the devastating and incurable illness that saps her strength. David F. Rooney photo
Revelstoke Community Housing Society Chairman Mark McKee signs on the dotted as Simon and Pauline Hunt and Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Lona Manning look on. David F. Rooney photo
Lona Manning offers Mark McKee a copy of A Simple, Decent Place To Live by Habitat for Humanity Founder Millard Dean Fuller. David F. Rooney photo
Pauline Hunt beams as Lona Manning pins a Habitat for Humanity pin to her sweater. David F. Rooney photo
Community Housing Society Chairman Mark McKee smiles as Lona Mannng pins him. David F. Rooney photo