Let the Building Begin!

Yesterday, two home builders, proud members of the Quinte Home Builders Association, Nick and Chris Staikos of Staikos Homes and Andy Geertsma of Geertsma Homes along with their trades and suppliers, joined together with Eric DenOuden, President of the Quinte Home Builders Association to announce their campaign – Home Build for Healthcare. A first in this community whereby the net proceeds from the sale of their two new homes will be donated to Quinte Health Care for the purchase of priority medical equipment at the Belleville and Trenton hospital sites. This project has the potential to

raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for this cause.

Two sod turning events took place yesterday, one at Staikos Homes, Lot 47 on Gale Crescent in Canniff Mills Estates and the other at Geertsma Homes on Lot 4 in Grandview Estates in Quinte West. Andy Geertsma, President of Geertsma Homes Ltd., said, “We are honoured to be involved, it is such a worthwhile cause and wonderful opportunity to support our community. It has been exciting to see the generous response from our employees, suppliers and sub trades. We look forward to working together as a team to make this project a success for the whole community.” According to Nick Staikos from Staikos Homes, “Chris and I are very excited to be a part of this project Home Build for Healthcare. This is a time for our suppliers and trades to show their support for not only Staikos Homes, but the entire community.” Also on hand at the Sod Turning event were local Mayors Neil Ellis and John Williams, along with council representatives on the Planning Committees and the Presidents of each Hospital Foundation, from Belleville Ross McDougall and from Trenton Phil Panelas. Representing QHC were Mary Clare Egberts, President & CEO and Brian Smith, Board Chair.

Quinte Health Care has an annual budget of $2.75 million for priority medical equipment. All of this is funded by the Hospital Foundations that support QHC. The government provides hospital operating costs, but does not fund capital equipment. This $2.75 million also does not include supplementary equipment needs for projects in Trenton such as the expansion of Same Day Surgery or the addition of Ambulatory Clinics. It also does not fund new equipment needs in Belleville’s newest Sills Wing. The proceeds from these two home sales will benefit Quinte Health Care and the equipment needs at their sites in Belleville and Trenton.

The QUINTE HOME BUILDERS ASSOCIATION represents approximately 100 member companies in the Quinte area. The QHBA logo is the mark of a professional - a member of the largest residential construction industry in Canada. They believe that skills, experience and integrity are the cornerstones of professionalism. They are committed to providing their members with opportunities to learn, grow and take pride in the association.

GEERTSMA Homes Ltd. has been building fine quality homes in the Quinte and surrounding region since the founding of its parent company in 1976. If you are interested in a custom home, residential subdivision, condominium or town home, Geertsma Homes Ltd offers something for everyone. For more information on Grandview Estates, Geertsma Homes or having a home built on your lot please contact a Geertsma Sales Representative at 613-966-8420.

STAIKOS Homes Ltd. have been building homes in the Quinte area since 1973. They are currently focused on our West Bridge Estates site in Napanee and our beautiful Canniff Mills Estates in Belleville's North East End. Situated along the banks of the Moira River, Canniff Mills Estates offers home buyers a selection of lots like never before offered in Belleville. For information on their homes, please contact of office in Canniff Mills Estates at 613-967-6560.

The Belleville General Hospital Foundation and the Trenton Memorial Hospital Foundation are independent non-profit organizations that financially support capital projects and the ongoing funding of new and replacement medical equipment at the Belleville, Trenton and North Hastings sites of Quinte Health Care.