In the days leading up to Mother”s Day, construction crews of female volunteers will raise their hammers at Habitat for Humanity construction sites across the country in recognition of National Women Build Week April 30 through May 8. Lowe”s and Columbus Lowndes Habitat for Humanity are looking for local women to volunteer for a day at the Habitat construction site during this nine-day event. Construction or home improvement experience is not necessary.
“The Women Build Day will take place at the corner of Fourth Street and Ninth Avenue South,” said Habitat Executive Director Kathy Arinder. “The home is being built for Mr. Charlie Skipper, custodian at Heritage Academy for 37 years. We would like to invite the women from Heritage and the community to come out and join us on Tuesday, May 3.
The Mother”s Day timeframe was selected for its significance to many 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.
To date, female volunteers have built more than 1,800 Habitat houses nationwide during National Women Build Week. This is the fourth Women Build event for Columbus Lowndes Habitat for Humanity.
Community partners
Lowe”s is contributing more than $1.3 million to National Women Build Week and providing $5,000 Lowe”s gift cards and building materials to more than 250 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 and empower them to support Habitat projects across the country.
Chartered in 1989, the Columbus Lowndes Habitat for Humanity affiliate has built 37 homes to date and is in the process of completing the 38th.
“Mr. Skipper”s home will be the 39th for this affiliate,” Arinder said. “Columbus Lowndes Habitat for Humanity has served over 40 families since 1989. We”ll be starting our first complete Women Build this summer. We would like to encourage women from the community to be a part of this historic event for our affiliate.”
Volunteer
To volunteer for the Skipper home Women Build Day May 3, or to donate, call 662-329-2501 or email [email protected]. “We may have to limit volunteers due to safety precautions, so please call and sign up as soon as possible,” Arinder requested.
Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian ministry dedicated to eliminating poverty housing. Since 1976, Habitat has built, rehabilitated, repaired or improved more than 400,000 houses worldwide.
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