Let the progress continue...

For many years, and in very many ways, Nick and Chris Staikos and Andy Geertsma have been community builders in Quinte. They’ve built the homes many of us live in and their contributions to charitable causes and projects have brought us together and strengthen the ties that help make us a caring community.

Now the family owned and operated Geertsma Homes and Staikos Homes are taking the unprecedented step of each building a home in their current developments to be sold and the net proceeds donated to purchase life-saving medical equipment for Quinte Health Care – so all our families can have better care.

And like a family, tradespeople and suppliers who work with Staikos and Geertsma have rallied to make the build a success and maximize the donation to Quinte Health Care. Even the (Town/City) of Quinte West and City of Belleville have contributed by waiving fees normally paid on new homes.

To recognize their outstanding generosity, we’re going to profile some of the people and businesses who care so deeply for our community and the quality of health care we receive that they are donating time, expertise and materials to the Home Build for Health Care.


Chapman Plumbing & Heating

It’s difficult to imagine how many people have a Chapman to thank when they turn on a tap, flush a toilet or adjust the temperature in their home or business. Outstanding customer service and a commitment to top quality work have been Chapman Plumbing & Heating’s calling card throughout the 61 years since Bill Chapman first hung out his shingle. For 29 of those years, Chapman Plumbing & Heating has been working with Staikos Homes.

Paul, Dave and Roger Chapman grew up in the family business and learned the skills of the trade from their father. They also learned the importance of giving back to the community.

According to Paul, he wasn’t aware the government doesn’t fund medical equipment until he heard an ad about it on the radio. Like all of us, he and his family have used the services of Quinte Health Care and he thought he’d like to do something to help. Later, when the Home Build for Health Care project was announced he and his brothers, who now own the business, jumped at the chance to participate.

“For us it’s perfect,” Paul says, “We’re working with people we admire and respect at Staikos Homes and we’re helping improve the quality of care available at Quinte Health Care. Like I said, it’s perfect.”


Janbar Electric

In 1974, Jane and Bart Smits put their hopes and dreams for the future, and their names, together and started Janbar Electric. A few years later, their son, Mike, came out of college and right into an apprenticeship in the family business. And a few years after that, in 2003, Mike bought the business from his parents. Bart still works part-time and Mike says the guys get a kick out of seeing him on the site.

Janbar Electric started working with Staikos over 20 years ago. Mike says the partnership is a good one built on shared ideals and mutual respect.

According to Mike all Janbar employees are involved in the home build project. “It’s an easy sell, we all want a vibrant hospital and we’re proud to lend a hand.”

Janbar’s suppliers have also come on board; Osso Electric Supplies, Guillevin International and Nedco Electric Supply have donated electrical materials to the project.


Man Hole #10

Around 30 years ago, Canniff Mills Estate, where the Staikos home is being built, was a working farm, just like all the others around it. It was where Ron Putman and his family did their bit to feed cities. Most people looked at it and saw a farm; but one small group of men saw the future. They saw homes and families and the progress of a growing community.

Dr. Russell Scott, Walter Watson, Bill Doef, Frank Vreugdenhil and Ron Putnam had a vision and the determination, persistence and patience to make it happen and the result was Man Hole # 10. Not a usual name for a business, Man Hole # 10 was inspired by the last man hole for the sewers the partners had to install before development could begin. Dr. Scott and Mr. Watson have both since passed away, but their sons, Russ Scott and Keith Watson, have stepped in and continue to work with the other original partners.

No one needs to tell Keith Watson how important it is to have a well equipped hospital at the ready; he suffered a heart attack and credits Quinte Health Care with saving his life. So when Ross McDougall, then Chair of the Belleville General Hospital Foundation, spoke to the Quinte Home Builders Association membership at their 2009 Annual Meeting and asked for their help funding life-saving medical equipment for Quinte Health Care, the partners of Man Hole #10 were eager to participate. And so they did, by donating a portion of the lot where the Staikos home is being built.

Stay tuned to the blog next week for an update on the Geertsma Home Build.