Do you want to help a family in need? You can help build a family a home (and win cool prizes) by simply writing a composition, essay or poem.

From October 4 to November 12, Genworth Financial Canada and Habitat for Humanity Canada are asking you to make a difference.

Submit a short composition, essay or poem that explains what you "love" most about your home!

24 Semi-Finalists will be chosen.  4 entries will be selected from each of the following regions: Atlantic, Prairies, Greater Toronto Area, Ontario, Quebec and Pacific.  One grand prize winner and five runners-up will then be selected by a judging panel -- one from each region.

Once the top 24 entries have been selected, they will be posted online for viewing only.

Click here for complete contest rules and regulations.

First Place winner will:

  • Take part in the ultimate gift - a new Habitat home for a deserving family. Genworth will donate $60,000 towards the building of a new Habitat home in a region of the winner's choice*.

  • Receive a high-performance Dell E6400 laptop with 14.1" widescreen display, 4 GB memory, 160 GB Hard drive, integrated webcam with digital microphone, wireless b/g and ethernet network connections, DVD+-RW drive with MS Office 2007 Basic installed.

  • Win a pizza party for the entire school.
*The winner will select from a list of eligible locations.

Five Runner Ups will each:

  • Help a family to get a home of their own. Genworth will donate $5,000 to a Habitat affiliate of the winner's choice - which will support the building of a new home in that community.

  • Receive an 8GB iPod Touch

  • Win a pizza party for their whole class.

The 18 semi-finalists will each receive:

  • A personalized Inukshuk.

The contest starts on Monday, October 4th and continues until Friday, November 12, 2010. Submissions will be accepted between these dates.

View previous winners from 2007, 2008, and 2009.

How to submit your entry

Enter online:
To submit your composition, essay or poem online, simply fill in the following form, then type or copy and paste your entry into the Submission box. Then click the "submit" button.

Enter by mail:
You can also mail your submission, along with your name, address and phone number, to:

The Meaning of Home Writing Contest
P.O. Box 4446 STN Industrial Park,
Markham,ON
L3R 6G9

Don't forget the stamp!

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