Summati
THE
n Weekly USPS Publication Number 16300
T h is C om mu n i t y N ewsp a p er is a pu bl ica t ion of E sca m bia / S a n ta Rosa B a r Assoc ia t ion
Section A, Page 1
Vol. 17, No. 13
Visit The Summation Weekly Online: www.summationweekly.com
April 5, 2017
1 Section, 8 Pages
Women Build 2017 CALLING ALL PINK HARD HATS AND HAMMERS!
Pensacola Habitat for Humanity is currently recruiting Women Builders for Women Build 2017!
T
By Nancy Wolfe
his is the fourth year for this fun and impactful event, which brings together nearly 150 women (and some men) from all walks of life to build a home for a local family. The families we serve are hardworking and dedicated to becoming successful homeowners. When Habitat home buyer Kenyata found out that she would be the recipient of the Women Build 2016 home, she felt empowered, “… We, women, are the definition of strength and dignity. To come together and bring awareness about building affordable homes in our community, all while building my home, making my dreams come true, is amazing.”
What is Women Build? Women Build is a community event that brings people together to construct a new home for a local family. Teams and individuals join together to raise funds to build a home and then spend a week on the build site, constructing the home.
The four components of Pensacola Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build are: 1. Fundraising
Each Builder will raise $500. Teams raise $5,000. Don’t worry, Pensacola Habitat for Humanity staff and the Women Build Leadership Team offer plenty of support and guidance along the way to help you achieve your goal.
2. Advocacy
Not only are Women Builders building homes, but they are equally importantly building awareness throughout the community about the importance of affordable, secure, and decent
homes. Women Build gives the opportunity to bring new women and groups together to advocate for more decent, affordable homes.
3. Celebrating
The average cost of a Habitat home is around $80k so it’s always a huge celebration at the end of the fundraising period! Pensacola Habitat for Humanity holds several events throughout the Women Build campaign for Builders to get together and celebrate success. Women Builders also have the opportunity to earn one-ofa-kind incentives, like pink hard hats and pink hammers.
4. Building
Each builder commits to spending one full day (8:00am – 3:00pm) on the build site, during Build Week in October. We get back together at a later date to paint and landscape the home, then dedicate it to the new homeowner.
Why Women Build? Our Women Builders are a representation of strong and caring women who want to make a difference for local families (hence our Rosie the Riveter mascot). “This is my third year as a Women Builder,” notes Mesha Boyle, recruitment chair for the Women Build Leadership Team. “Whether you have a commitment to give back, or your motivation is a chance to don a pink hard hat and work on the construction site, the feeling you will get from being a part of this is fantastic.” Sacred Heart Health System has been a Women Build Home Builder Sponsor for the past three years, creating teams of 10 women to be a part of – and advocate for – Women Build. Susan Davis, President and CEO of Sacred Heart Health System, shares with us her passion for giving back to the community and advocating for change, “It’s not
a question of finding the time, you make the time. This is my home and it’s important that our community have people that have access to good health care, have quality education, have meaningful employment and a safe home for them and their families.” Are you interested in Women Build but afraid of the fundraising commitment? Don’t worry! Pensacola Habitat for Humanity will be with you every step of the way with fundraising tips, setting up an online fundraising account, and we even have a few fundraising opportunities already lined up. This year’s leadership team is organizing a multi-team yard sale, an eBay auction, and a Blue Wahoo’s ticket sale.
In reflection of Women Build 2016, our Women Builders were more than delighted: “I thought I was doing something for someone else, but in all reality, what I was doing was for ME. I left that day tired, hot and covered in red dust, but my insides were full because of the pride I felt in making sure my nails went in straight, the boards were measured and cut correctly and the feeling I felt spending the day with other awesome women giving back.” “Women Build is the most fantastic and rewarding thing I have ever been involved in, and I will always recommend and encourage others to get involved.” “I feel like I really made a difference for a mom and daughter.”
Are you interested in learning more about how you can be involved in Women Build? Please send us an email at volunteer@pensacolahabitat. org or give us a call at (850) 434-5456. We’d love to answer any questions you have and we hope you will join us for Women Build 2017 in October!