Safe Homes for Single Mothers Moose Jaw wants to make sure single parents have a safe, warm place to live over the holiday season. 

The organization took nominations this week so that two single parents could be chosen to receive two water heaters with installation included. 

“We've done a number of projects. I think we've done nine projects here in the city in five and a half years and we haven't done a project yet this year, with what went on in the spring, obviously with COVID,” said founder Mark Paterson. 

The water heaters were sold to Safe Homes for Single Mothers by Home Hardware Moose Jaw at cost. Successful nominees will be asked to supply a couple of documents to prove identification and income and Paterson is hoping to have the heaters installed over the weekend. 

He said they’ve had a lot of responses as single parents are struggling to get through the COVID-19 pandemic. He said that he’s had to turn down some applicants because they were as far away as Prince Albert. 

As a professional home inspector, Paterson said he doesn’t stop at just the installation of the water heater. 

“I'm not just going to look at the water heater situation. I'm also going to pull the panel cover off, and if there are some things in there that maybe need to be addressed, we’re also going to do that.” 

For those who aren’t selected for a heater, there is still hope as the organization is also looking to help put food on the table. 

They have partnered up with South Hill Fine Foods to supply 15 food hampers over the holiday season. 

Nominations will be taken by sending a message to Safe Homes for Single Mothers through their Facebook page. Paterson said, despite the name, they have helped single fathers in the past, and nominations for single dads will be considered.