VANCOUVER—Two young sisters are giving a noteworthy boost to families in need.

Ashley and Caitlin Sankaran-Wee have contributed $10,000 to Habitat for Humanity in the past four years.

“It’s a great organization because they try to help families by building homes for them,” said Ashley, a Grade 5 student at Dr. Annie B. Jamieson Elementary School and a member of St. Anthony of Padua Parish.

Ashley won $5,000 for her local Habitat for Humanity branch after participating in an essay contest.

Genworth Financial’s Meaning of Home contest accepts essays and poetry from Grade 4 and 5 students across the country each year. In 2015, one winner and six runners-up were chosen from 7,291 entries.

The winner, Tyler from Airdrie, Alta., won $60,000 for a Habitat for Humanity branch of his choice. Ashley took home runner-up recognition; the prize was an iPod touch, a pizza party for her class, and $5,000 for her community’s Habitat for Humanity.

She delivered the cheque Feb. 12. “I felt happy because then other families will get to live in nice homes too,” she said.

Habitat for Humanity is an international organization that helps low-income families own a home by using volunteer labour, donations, and no-interest mortgages. The to-be homeowners put in “sweat equity” and help build their home.

“Habitat for Humanity works with families: hard-working, low-income Canadians, and helps them break the cycle of poverty,” said Lisa Lalande, vice president of national partnerships and giving programs for Habitat for Humanity Canada, in a video.

She added that Genworth has contributed more than $2 million over the years. The mortgage insurance group donates $5 for each entry in the Meaning of Home contest, in addition to the final prizes.

“The kids get it,” said Genworth community relations leader Linda Belanger. “The kids know the difference, if you give them a moment to think about it, between a house and a home.”

One of Ashley’s older sisters, Caitlin, was also a runner-up in The Meaning of Home contest in 2011; she donated $5,000 to the same cause.

Their proud parents say they encourage their three children to enter contests and engage in activities they are passionate about.

“We always remind them that we are on earth for a reason. We are appreciative of what we have and whatever we can do we try to give back,” said Adrian Wee.

“Eventually they do something that is not for their career but also their vocation, something that truly benefits more than the people around them.”