Even as Columbus-Lowndes Habitat for Humanity made final plans for National Women Build Week May 3-11, tornadic weather in Lowndes County was orchestrating a revision. Each spring, the nonprofit Habitat agency and Lowe’s invite women to volunteer to work on a Habitat home for a local family. This year, the format will be just a bit different.
On Tuesday, May 6 volunteers who have signed up before Tuesday morning will assist with disaster cleanup at the site of the most recently completed Habitat home on Kidder Lane. The homeowner partners have been in residence only since December.
“There are lots of trees down there,” said CLHFH Executive Director Kathy Arinder. “We need some men who have chainsaws, too. If there are some men willing to chainsaw that would be wonderful.”
The Women Build will move into construction mode Wednesday, May 7 with work at the current Habitat home underway at 376 Thaxton Road, beginning at 8:30 a.m.
“Everybody needs to sign up beforehand by calling 662-329-2501 Monday,” said Arinder. “Space may be limited due to safety precautions.”
What is Women Build?
Columbus-Lowndes Habitat for Humanity is one of more than 300 Habitat affiliates nationwide hosting Women Build projects with the support of Lowe’s, Habitat’s longtime partner in the event. The effort challenges women to devote at least one day to building simple, decent and affordable housing in their local communities. More than 52,000 women volunteers from all 50 states have participated in previous years.
“We are excited to participate in National Women Build Week,” said Arinder.” “This is a great opportunity for women of all skill levels to come together to help a family in need. No construction skills are necessary.
To date, women volunteers have helped construct more than 2,200 Habitat houses nationwide. Locally, CLHFH has participated in eight Women Build events.
To volunteer or donate to this project, call 662-329-2501 or email [email protected].
“We hope to see you at our Women Build event Tuesday, May 6, and Wednesday, May 7, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Women interested in participating can call our office or email to sign up or ask questions,” Arinder explained.
Since it was established in 1989, CLHFH has built 41 homes and served more than 45 families.
“Our mission is to put God’s love into action by bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope,” the director said.
Visit Habitat.org/wb for more information on National Women Build Week.
Lowe’s involvement
Lowe’s helped launch National Women Build Week in 2008, and each year provides the support of Lowe’s Heroes employee volunteers and conducts how-to clinics at stores to teach volunteers construction skills. This year, Lowe’s contributed $1.75 million to National Women Build Week as part of a new five-year partnership with Habitat that will bring Lowe’s total contributions to more than $63 million since 2003. To learn more, visit Habitat.org/Lowes.
Habitat for Humanity International’s vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Anchored by the conviction that housing provides a critical foundation for breaking the cycle of poverty, Habitat has helped more than 4 million people construct, rehabilitate or preserve homes since 1976. Habitat also advocates to improve access to decent and affordable shelter and supports a variety of funding models that enable families with limited resources to make needed improvements on their homes as their time and resources allow. Read more at habitat.org.
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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