There’s a big difference between a house and a home, as Ovintiv volunteer Mark explained,
“A house is just a shelter. A place to get out of the rain, out of the cold. But a home is more about the love, the family, and making it your own. A real place of safety.”
At the end of May, over 100 volunteers traded laptops and boardrooms for tool belts and hard hats at Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta’s Industry Build 2025. Among them were 30 team members from Ovintiv, returning for their third consecutive year as Presenting Sponsor.
As power tools buzzed and construction teams worked side by side under the prairie sun, one thing became clear: this wasn’t just about building houses. It was about building community.
Keep reading to see what keeps bringing them back, year after year.
A partnership rooted in purpose
Industry Build is more than a volunteer day. It’s a hands-on opportunity for energy, technology, and homebuilding companies to work side by side and give back in a tangible way.
“We love it because we share a common goal with Habitat: strengthening communities,” said Mary Grant, VP of Strategy and Fundamentals at Ovintiv. “Today, we get to do that through affordable and accessible housing.”
Ovintiv volunteers collaborate on-site at Industry Build 2025 in Airdrie, helping turn raw materials into meaningful change through affordable home construction.
As drills hummed in the background and teams worked in rhythm, Mary shared what makes this partnership so meaningful:
“All of the causes we support align with our social commitment,” she explained. “But Habitat is special. The impact is immediate and tangible. You can see the difference at the end of the day—a home taking shape that will change a family’s future.”
The commitment runs deep. Ovintiv participates in Habitat builds across Canada and the U.S., wherever their offices are located. This year, the team joined us on the build site in Airdrie, Alberta, just north of Calgary. Their enthusiasm was unmistakable. Thirty volunteers came out, and even more were on the waitlist.
“It’s an amazing way to give back to the community,” Mary said. “But it’s also an amazing way for your team to participate and see firsthand the impact they can make.”
What does home mean to you?
In between shifts measuring, framing, and hauling materials, volunteers took a moment to reflect on the deeper meaning behind their work.
“Home to me means peace, safety, comfort, and happiness.”
“Home means happiness, safety... and love.”
“Safety, security, and basically peace of mind. Just having a roof over your head can make a huge difference. It gives you confidence, and with less stress, it actually gives you a place to relax and enjoy your family.”
“Home is a sense of security for my family.”
“Home to me is somewhere safe for me to be myself. I don’t have to pretend to be someone else.”
Each answer was unique, but every one pointed back to the same idea: home is a foundation. Not just for one family, but for a stronger, more resilient community.
A culture of giving
“Giving back isn’t just part of our social commitment—it’s part of our culture,” said Mary. “You can see that by the number of employees who came out today. It matters to all of us, every day.”
The Ovintiv team came out in full force for Industry Build 2025, with 30 volunteers spending the day building affordable homes and strengthening community, one wall at a time.
Ovintiv’s long-standing support of Habitat reflects its broader mission: making modern life possible. That mission shows up not only in how they work, but in how they show up for communities, for families, and for each other.
And that spirit was on full display at Industry Build 2025, where teams traded titles for teamwork, spreadsheets for screw guns, and routine for purpose.
To other companies considering it?
“All it takes is one day out here to see the impact for yourself,” said Mary. “If you’re on the fence, just come out once. You’ll get it.”
Thumbs up for building impact! One of Ovintiv’s 30 volunteers brings positivity and purpose to the Industry Build 2025 site in Airdrie.
We’re grateful to partner with companies like Ovintiv, who don’t just support the mission—they step onto the build site, sleeves rolled up, ready to make a difference.