Giving back to the community is an important part of who we are at the West End Home Builders’ Association. Across Hamilton, Burlington, and Grimsby, our members regularly donate their time, expertise, and resources to support families and local organizations. From food programs to children’s charities, community involvement is woven into the day-to-day work of our members.
To help bring greater visibility to this work, WE HBA has introduced WE CARE, an umbrella initiative focused on community outreach and charitable engagement. WE CARE connects association-led volunteer opportunities with the many member-led charitable initiatives already underway across the membership, bringing together company-driven efforts that support local causes and contribute to positive community impact across the region.
WE HBA hosted its first WE CARE volunteer event in early February, where members gathered for a shared day of service with GBF Community Services. Volunteers supported the organization’s food bank and community store, helping meet the needs of local residents. The event reflected the spirit behind WE CARE by bringing people together around a common purpose while strengthening ties within the Grimsby community. It also helped set the foundation for future volunteer opportunities, including upcoming initiatives such as tree planting in partnership with the City of Hamilton. The WE CARE Committee is chaired by Jessie Ha Kong, with Michael Bonomo serving as Vice Chair.
Beyond association-led efforts, WE CARE also highlights the many ways members support their communities year-round. These initiatives vary in scope and focus, but share a common goal of giving back locally. Turkstra Lumber leads participation in Coldest Night of the Year, a nationwide fundraising walk that supports charities serving individuals and families experiencing homelessness, hunger, and hardship. Catlin Cares is currently hosting its fifth annual Catlin Food Drive in partnership with Feed Halton, with a goal of collecting 5,000 pounds of food and monetary donations for families in need across the region.
Each year, the association also hosts a Toy Drive in conjunction with its Holiday Social, inviting attendees to bring new, unwrapped toys in support of children in need. Thanks to the generosity of members, a significant number of toys were collected and donated to CityKidz, a local organization dedicated to supporting children living in the inner city.
In 2025, WE HBA further extended its community support by contributing $7,500 to the capital campaign for Keaton’s House Paul Paletta Children’s Hospice. The contribution supports children receiving palliative care and their families across the Greater Hamilton area, and reflects WE HBA’s ongoing commitment to working alongside community partners on initiatives that create lasting local impact.
As WE CARE continues to evolve, the initiative will support additional volunteer opportunities, partnerships, and community-focused projects across the West End. Through this work, WE HBA remains committed to strengthening its connection to the communities it serves and supporting organizations that make a meaningful difference locally.
