Habitat project benefits from young essay writer

For 11-year-old Tyler Gerke of Edmonton, a home means somewhere to enjoy life with his family.

Tyler, who is the nephew to Penny Stephani of Barrhead, is the second-place winner of the Meaning of Home contest, hosted by Genworth Financial Canada. Tyler’s winning entry means the Barrhead Friends of Habitat for Humanity project received a $5,000 boost. The writing contest is in support of Habitat for Humanity Canada and designed to raise awareness among students on the importance of having a home. According to Habitat for Humanity statistics, 1.5 million Canadian families require affordable housing. By putting pen to paper, students have the opportunity to express their feelings and make a difference in their community.

Tyler is a Grade 5 student at Winterburn Elementary School. His story was selected among 2,500 entries, and his success netted the young hockey fanatic a pizza party for his class and an iPod Touch. His mom, Holly Gerke, is proud of her son’s achievement and is happy he could be part of something as meaningful as Habitat for Humanity.

“When (Tyler) overheard it was a Zamboni driver who was going to get a home in Barrhead, he was excited because he eats, breathes and sleeps hockey,” Holly said. “It reminds me of the show The Secret Millionaire, and we’re so happy he gets to be a part of this. He’s a good little writer. We were so close to first, and we would have loved to give Habitat for Humanity $60,000 (awarded to the youth who secures first place in the contest).”

She said Tyler has visited the build site in Barrhead and was given a tour of the homes, and that might not have happened had he chosen a project in a larger city.

“We have close ties to Barrhead, and we’re there often. The fact it is a small community that has just started with Habitat for Humanity is why he chose it. Tyler will read his story at the Habitat for Humanity annual general meeting, too.”

A ceremony took place at Tyler’s school on March 24 to recognize his accomplishment. He said he was a bit intimidated by the fact he had to read his winning story in front of his schoolmates, but it was worth it when he was able to hand over the cheque.

Tyler said he likes the fact Barrhead is a small town. He has cousins here, and every once in a while, he visits them, and they play hockey.

“It’s a nice house,” Tyler said of the Habitat homes. “It will be good for the families. It’s going to be exciting once they move in. I just want to make the families happy.”

Barrhead Friends of Habitat for Humanity project leader Steve Lyster was at Tyler’s school for the presentation. He said the money would go a long way in helping to finish off the two homes currently under construction.

“Any financial donations have always been welcome,” Lyster said. “It was a neat celebration and presentation (at Tyler’s school). It was a good feeling to be there.”

Lyster said the dedication date where the keys will be turned over to the new homeowners is Saturday, April 30. Tyler will be on hand at the presentation.

Tyler’s story is based on a personal experience he had in downtown Edmonton when his family attended a ceremony where his brother was receiving an award from the mayor. It tells of his family’s interactions with a homeless man who sat down beside Tyler and his parents.

“They were offering free pop and chips, with entertainment for the children, and there were several homeless people who showed up to eat, too,” Holly said. “The people were really good with letting them be there, and one of the homeless gentlemen took some food and came and sat down beside us, right next to Tyler. We asked him how he got into the situation, and Tyler started asking him question, too.”

Holly said the homeless man never asked for a handout, and when he went to leave, her husband gave him a business card and told him to call if he was looking for work.

“He called the next day, which happened to fall on a Sunday, so we weren’t at the office,” she said. “He said in his message he would call back the next day, but he never did call back. We wish we could have helped in some small way.”

It was this experience that inspired young Tyler to write his story, and it seemingly touched the hearts of the judges.

Following is Tyler’s essay on the meaning of home:

On May 1, 2010, I was downtown in our city’s centre, enjoying a free hamburger and pop and taking part in the festivities leading up to a speech from the mayor. As I was sitting with my family, something out of the corner of my eye caught my attention. An old man shuffled past the people, looking completely out of place. I could see that his hair was dirty and matted, as it poked out from under his tattered hat. His clothing was worn and ragged, and I noticed through the holes in his shoes, that he had no socks on.

The man walked over to the table, helped himself to a hamburger, pop, and bag of chips and headed towards the bench I was sitting on. I tried not to stare at him as he approached.

He sat down beside my family and me and set down a huge sack, which had been slung, over his shoulder.

I stopped pretending not to stare at this sad-looking man, and I asked him what he had in the big sack. He said, “It’s my home.”

I didn’t understand then, but in learning about what Habitat for Humanity means, I do now. My mom later told me the man was “homeless,” and that he lived in the bushes along the river valley.

I love my house: It’s got lots of windows, I have my own room, and I’ve even got a fireplace. But it is what’s inside that makes it my home.

A home means somewhere to enjoy life with my family. My home is filled with all my favourite things, like my mom, dad, two older brothers, and my big, friendly dog, Diezel. My home contains my favourite blanket on my bed, pictures of my family on the walls, good things to eat and tons of great memories. I feel safe and secure in my home, especially when my family is together.

The homeless man had all the things he owned in that one bag, and he had nowhere to put them but upon his back, because he did not have any sense of security if he was to leave them in his “house” in the river valley. I can only imagine what kind of memories he must have kept in that bag. I also wonder where he gets a clean drink of water when he’s thirsty or how he stays warm when it’s -30 degrees C out.

I’ve heard of a saying that goes like this: “A home is where your heart is.”

I didn’t really appreciate how lucky I was to have a place to keep my heart until Saturday, May 1, 2010.

The Meaning of Home contest was established in 2007 to raise awareness among students on the importance of having a home.

“Over the past three years, we’ve seen students impact the lives of many families across Canada through the simple act of writing,” said Peter Vukanovich, President and COO of Genworth Financial Canada. “Meaning of Home is more than a contest – it empowers the younger generation to become more engaged, compassionate citizens.”