By Cecilia Nasmith

To celebrate its 35th anniversary, a team from Cameco visited the Habitat for Humanity Northumberland build in Baltimore Thursday to deliver some significant support – not only in the form of a volunteer work crew but also a $100,000 cheque.

Cameco was established Oct. 5, 1988, when Eldorado Nuclear Limited merged with Saskatchewan Mining Development Corporation. As Cameco, it has established a reputation for its generous support of a wide variety of local organizations and community projects each year.

Among the Cameco crew was Chief Operating Officer Brian Reilly, who had come all the way from Saskatchewan. He called the company's anniversary a big milestone, citing their commitment to safety, to the environment and to the community.

“This is what it looks like folks – our commitment to the community,” Reilly added, summoning up local Vice-President of Fuel Services Dale Clark for the cheque presentation.

Cameco is all about clean energy security, he said – one of the biggest social issues of the day.

“Equally important is affordable housing.”

Macdonald said the Baltimore project was a dream come true for the local Habitat affiliate.

Two years previous, the board had decided to buy a large piece of land for their biggest-ever development. A suitable tract was found on County Road 45.

“Within eight to nine months, there will be seven households that have affordable housing on this site, in this community, that is not only affordable housing but it's net-zero, it's accessible, and it's part of the community that has been built by the community,” Macdonald said.

Not only is this Habitat Northumberland's single largest project, but it is also Habitat For Humanity's largest net-zero development in Canada.

Half of the day's donation will be devoted to the Baltimore project, which will also get further hands-on help from Cameco volunteers on a number of designated Cameco build days

“It is so important to get out in the community and help with the actual work wherever we can,” Clark said. “It's about more than just writing a cheque – it's about getting involved and supporting our community.”