National Women Build Week

Habitat for Humanity, Lowe’s seek female volunteers to build homes with low-income families  

Thousands of women across the country join together for

National Women Build Week April 30 – May 8

Waterloo, IA, DATE – 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 Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity are looking for local women to volunteer for a day at a Black Hawk County Habitat construction site during this nine-day event. Construction or home improvement experience is not necessary.

Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build Work Day is on Thursday, May 5.  Volunteers are needed from 8:30am to 12:00pm and 12:30pm, to 3:30pm.  Volunteers will be working at 726 Willow Street in Waterloo.  A skilled Site Supervisor will be leading volunteers in hanging drywall.  Lowe’s Home Improvement Store in Waterloo will be offering a “How to Hang Drywall” class on Thursday, April 28 from 6:00 to 7:00pm; free of charge.  Contact the Habitat office at volunteer@heartlandhfh.org to sign up or call 319-235-9946.

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. Locally, Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity has built more than four Women Build houses. 

National Women Build Week challenges women to devote at least one day in the effort to help eliminate poverty housing. The event, now in its fourth year, has drawn more than 20,000 female volunteers from all 50 states.

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. 

To volunteer or donate to this project, please call 319-235-9946 email volunteer@heartlandhfh.org or visit www.heartlandhfh.org.

About Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity

Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity was founded in 1990 as an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International and is a nonprofit organization seeking to eliminate poverty housing, build stronger families and improve neighborhoods.  IHHFH currently builds in three Iowa counties – Black Hawk, Bremer and Butler.

Habitat invites people from all walks of life to work together in partnership to help build homes with families in need of better housing.  Locally, Iowa Heartland Habitat completes 10-12 homes annually.  Houses are built with volunteer labor, homeowner Sweat Equity hours and tax-deductible donations of money and materials.  The Habitat houses are then sold to Habitat families with affordable ZERO interest mortgages. These mortgage proceeds are then used by the Habitat affiliate to build more affordable homes with more qualified families. Visit www.heartlandhfh.org. 

Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity will celebrate the completion of its 100^th home in 2011; while Habitat of Iowa will celebrate the completion of 1000 homes state wide.

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 brought more than $5 million in grants to K-12 public schools every year since its inception in 2005. Lowe’s Heroes employee volunteers support local community projects and our national nonprofit partners such as Habitat for Humanity International and the American Red Cross. In 2010, Lowe’s and the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation together contributed more than $30 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 an ecumenical Christian ministry that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built, rehabilitated, repaired or improved more than 400,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 2 million people. For more information, or to donate or volunteer, visit Habitat.org.