1000 x 90

Habitat for Humanity, Lowe’s Seek Women Volunteers to Build Homes During National Women Build Week

April 24, 2012. NEWLAND — Women volunteers will raise their hammers at Habitat for Humanity construction sites across the country in recognition of National Women Build Week, May 5 to 13. The event is a nationwide initiative of Habitat’s Women Build program developed in partnership with Lowe’s.

Now in its fifth year, National Women Build Week challenges women to devote at least one day to creating simple, decent and affordable housing in their local communities. Nearly 31,000 women volunteers from all 50 states have participated in the previous four events. 

This year’s theme, “The Build Generation,” reflects the event’s goal to recruit and train women volunteers, as well as welcome the next generation of Habitat Women Builders – young women, ages 18 to 24 – to help support Habitat’s mission to create affordable housing. Lowe’s and Habitat for Humanity Avery County Habitat for Humanity are looking for women to volunteer at a Milford Meadows Subdivision, Habitat construction site for at least one day during this nine-day event that culminates on Mother’s Day. Construction or home improvement experience is not necessary.

This year’s Women Build event will be on Thursday, May 10, 2012 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., lunch will be provided. Projects will include work on vinyl siding and landscaping the future home of Charlene Calhoun and her two daughters, Alaina and Kayli. The site is located on Friendship Lane in the Milford Meadows Subdivision, Elk Park, NC.

To date, women volunteers have helped construct more than 1,900 Habitat houses nationwide. Locally, Avery County Habitat for Humanity has held Women Build events for five consecutive years and completed 34 homes for low-income families in Avery County.

National Women Build Week is held the week leading up to Mother’s Day because of its significance to Habitat homeowners and volunteers. Families with children make up a staggering number of those in need of adequate housing. More than 12 million children – one in six – live in poverty housing in the United States alone.

Lowe’s contributed more than $1.3 million to National Women Build Week, providing $5,000 Lowe’s gift cards to 275 Habitat affiliates.  National Women Build Week is one of the major initiatives supported through Lowe’s five-year, $20 million pledge to Habitat. As the underwriter of the Women Build program since 2004, Lowe’s conducts “how-to” clinics at stores to teach women construction skills, enabling them to support Habitat projects across the country. 

To volunteer or donate to this project, call 828-733-1909, email burginm@averycohfh.org or visit www.averycohfh.org to find the link to our Facebook page.

About Avery County Habitat for Humanity

Since they were founded in 1991, the Avery affiliate has improved the lives of many Avery County residents. They currently service 27 no interest mortgages and are starting their 36th partner family home. Currently, they have four families awaiting completion of their new homes and four in the family selection process.

About Lowe’s

Lowe’s supports the communities it serves through programs that focus on K-12 public education and community improvement projects. The company’s signature education grant program, Lowe’s Toolbox for Education, has donated nearly $5 million in grants to K-12 public schools every year since its inception in 2006.  Lowe’s Heroes employee volunteers support local community projects and our national nonprofit partners such as Habitat for Humanity and the American Red Cross.  In 2011, Lowe’s and the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation together contributed more than $32 million to support communities in the United States, Canada and Mexico. To learn more, visit Lowes.com/SocialResponsibility.

About Habitat for Humanity International

Habitat for Humanity International is a global nonprofit Christian housing organization that seeks to put God’s love into action by bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope. Since 1976, Habitat has served more than 500,000 families by welcoming people of all races, religions and nationalities to construct, rehabilitate or preserve homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions.