Columbus-Lowndes Habitat for Humanity (CLHH) will work alongside Lowe’s volunteers and all-female construction crews for Habitat for Humanity’s 10th annual National Women Build Week, which began Saturday and goes through May 14. Women Build Week invites women to help make a difference and devote at least one day to help build decent, affordable housing in their local communities. More than 17,000 women, including Lowe’s Heroes volunteers, are expected to volunteer at construction sites across the country.
“Everyone needs a foundation to build a better future,” said Kathy Arinder, CLHH executive director. “We partner with volunteers and businesses to help qualified families find strength, stability and self-reliance through affordable homeownership.”
Homeowners invest hours of “sweat equity” in building their homes, and when completed, purchase their homes and pay mortgages within their means, Arinder explained. “Homeownership allows families to save more money, invest in education, live in healthier environments, and have more financial independence.”
In Columbus
On Wednesday and Thursday, May 10 and 11, volunteers in Columbus will work on a home being built for a family of three. Located at 109 Brown St., this is the 48th house built by Columbus-Lowndes Habitat for Humanity.
Lowe’s helped launch National Women Build Week in 2008 to empower women to advocate for affordable housing and spotlight the homeownership challenges faced by many. In addition to providing employee volunteers, each year Lowe’s conducts how-to clinics at stores to teach volunteers construction skills so they can feel equipped to take part in the builds.
“Through our partnership with Habitat and support of National Women Build Week, Lowe’s empowers women to get involved in their communities, learn construction skills and make a meaningful impact,” said James Frison, Lowe’s director of community relations. “We’re grateful to all the women in Lowndes County who will volunteer this week to help build and repair decent and affordable housing.”
Lowe’s donated nearly $2 million to this year’s National Women Build Week, including a $5,000 store gift card to CLHH. Since 2008, CLHH has received gift cards totaling $50,000 for Women Build homes in Lowndes County.
Nationally, since 2003, Lowe’s has committed more than $63 million to Habitat’s mission and helped more than 6,500 families improve their living conditions.
Habitat’s first Women Build event was held in 1998. Since then, all-women construction crews have helped build more than 2,500 homes in partnership with families.
For more information on the Women Build program, visit Habitat.org/wb.
Columbus-Lowndes Habitat for Humanity was established in 1989 to assist low-income families and persons in Lowndes County who meet financial requirements with building decent, safe and affordable homes. For more information on CLHH, visit columbushabitat.org.
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