Meet the Winner of Centra’s 2025 Home Renovation Contest!

Another incredible Centra Cares Home Renovation Contest has come to a close! This year, we received over 230 nominations filled with heartfelt stories of strength, community, and hope. After careful consideration, we’re proud to announce our 2025 winner – Moira Kelly and her son, James.

Moira’s story of love, dedication, and perseverance truly touched the hearts of our Employee Owners. This was her third year being nominated – a testament to the power of never giving up. With the support of four caring friends who nominated her this year, Moira’s dream has finally become a reality, and we can’t wait to bring comfort, safety, and peace of mind to her home through brand new, high-performance windows.

Moira’s Story

Moira Kelly is a single parent and the devoted caregiver of her 40-year-old son, James, who lives with Angelman Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder. James is semi-ambulatory, non-verbal, and has faced daily challenges including seizures and sleeping difficulties. Through it all, Moira has been his unwavering support system, providing constant care and endless love.

Now in her mid 60s and battling health problems of her own, Moira continues to do everything she can to make life brighter for James. Despite limited income and minimal assistance, she finds small ways to bring him joy – from car rides to his favourite Dairy Queen trips. She describes James as a loving son, and says he is her whole world.

Life for Moira and James is far from easy. With no family nearby and only a few close friends to rely on, even simple daily tasks like grocery shopping can be daunting. Yet, despite the immense challenges, Moira’s kindness and strength have inspired everyone who knows her – including us here at Centra.

The Kelly Home

The original windows in the home have become a serious concern. Years of wear and tear have led to leaks, mould, and broken seals. Moisture and condensation build up throughout the colder months, and in winter, ice forms. The windows also fail to block out allergens and wildfire smoke – both of which directly affect James’ health, as he suffers from severe eye infections that can cause intense pain and even threaten his vision.

Beyond comfort and health, safety has been another major worry. Every window lock in the home has broken over time, leaving Moira and James unable to properly secure their home. Makeshift wooden sticks have been their only option for peace of mind. The poor sound insulation also means Moira worries about disturbing neighbours when James is awake and vocal at night.

By replacing the old windows with Centra’s high-performance, energy-efficient products, we’ll be able to dramatically improve their quality of life – bringing warmth, security, better air quality, and long-term comfort to their home.

Centra Cares Home Renovation Contest

Every year, we’re reminded of the incredible people who make our communities so special through our Centra Cares Home Renovation Contest. Past recipients continue to share how life-changing their renovations have been, and the team at Centra is grateful for the chance to make a difference to those who need it most.

We’re honoured to welcome Moira and James Kelly to the Centra Family and can’t wait to see their transformation unfold. Stay tuned for updates, photos, and heartfelt moments as we help create a safer, more comfortable home for this extraordinary mother and son.

Congratulations once again to Moira and James, and thank you to everyone who shared their stories in 2025. Your courage and community spirit continue to inspire us all. For news on when nominations open for our next Centra Cares Home Renovation Contest, be sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn!