Company News :: Tolko Industries Ltd

For immediate release: November 8, 2006

Tolko employees assist Habitat for Humanity Canada
with Hurricane Katrina rebuilding

Vernon, BC - This weekend, a team of ten Tolko employees from across Western Canada will head to the New Orleans area to work with Habitat for Humanity’s Operation Home Delivery program—an initiative designed to provide affordable housing solutions for US Gulf Coast communities in crisis as a result of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Six Tolko employees will depart Kelowna International Airport on Saturday, November 11 and meet up with four others, from outside the province, in New Orleans, Louisiana. The group, dubbed “Team Tolko”, will spend the week working with Habitat for Humanity alongside families in need of a basic place to live and who, through Habitat’s mandate, must participate in the construction of their home.

“We want to help our American neighbours in a tangible way,” says Sheila Catlin, Manager, Corporate Communications. “Volunteering will give employees a chance to make a real difference.”

Last November, Tolko-Canada’s first Hurricane Katrina home sponsor—made a $75,000 donation and committed to sending a team to assist with rebuilding efforts.

“Tolko has been very supportive of those in need of affordable housing and it is wonderful to see them mobilizing yet again to ensure a family in New Orleans has a safe and decent place to live after surviving such a crisis,” said David Hughes, President & CEO, Habitat for Humanity Canada. “This clearly demonstrates that Canadians have a strong desire to lend their support to those in need around the world.”

“The response we received from our employees was wonderful,” says Catlin. “Over 85 employees from across the company applied to be part of the team.”

Tolko took a unique approach to recruit their volunteers. To be eligible to participate, employees had to complete a minimum of 10 volunteer hours within their own communities. “We wanted to call attention to the needs that exist within our operating communities,” says Catlin. “This was a great way to promote volunteerism in our home towns.” Applicants who satisfied the eligibility requirements were entered into a random draw.

The following employees will represent Tolko: Lee Bellamy, Vernon, BC; Leon Medema, Vernon, BC; Hilda Patzer, Kelowna, BC; Peter Whitfield, Lake Country, BC; Glenn Parkinson, Merritt, BC; Bill Stowell, Merritt, BC; Michelle Dallaire, High Prairie, AB; Trina Vercholuk, Slave Lake, AB; Kelly Schmidt, Meadow Lake, SK; and Derek LaJambe, The Pas, MB;

Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2006, Tolko Industries Ltd. (Tolko) is a Canadian owned, private forest company based in Vernon, B.C that manufactures and markets specialty forest products to world markets. With 18 primary manufacturing divisions and three sales offices across Western Canada, Tolko is a major producer and marketer of lumber, plywood, oriented strand board and kraft paper.

Habitat for Humanity Canada is a national, non-profit, faith-based organization working for a world where everyone has a safe and decent place to live. Our mission is to mobilize volunteers and community partners in building affordable housing and promoting homeownership as a means to breaking the cycle of poverty.

The organization was founded in 1985, consists of 30,000 volunteers and 70 Affiliate organizations from coast to coast, and is a member of Habitat for Humanity International which spans 100 countries, has built over 200,000 homes, and is now building a new home every 24 minutes.”

Habitat for Humanity’s Operation Home Delivery seeks to rebuild homes in stormaffected areas along the Gulf Coast in partnership with individuals and families who qualify for Habitat homeownership by demonstrating a need for housing, a willingness to partner with Habitat and the ability to repay a no-profit loan. With the continuing support of donors and volunteers, it has pledged to build homes in the affected areas as long as resources allow.

Christine Leonard
MAVERICK for Habitat for Humanity Canada
P: 416-640-5525
E-mail