Women volunteers will raise their hammers at Habitat for Humanity construction sites across the country in recognition of National Women Build Week, May 5-13. The event is a nationwide initiative of Habitat’s Women Build program developed in partnership with Lowe’s.

Now in its fifth year, National Women Build Week challenges women to devote at least one day to creating simple, decent and affordable housing in their local communities. Nearly 31,000 women volunteers from all 50 states have participated in the previous four events.

Volunteers flex their muscles at LAHFH’s 2011 Women Build site.

This year’s theme, “The Build Generation,” reflects the event’s goal to recruit and train women volunteers, as well as welcome the next generation of Habitat Women Builders – young women, ages 18-24 – to help support Habitat’s mission to create affordable housing. Lowe’s and Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity are looking for women to volunteer at a Fargo Habitat construction site on Thursday, May 10^th. Construction or home improvement experience is not necessary.

Women Build Volunteers take part in 2011 Women Build Week.

Volunteers will be constructing and finishing a shed for a Fargo Habitat home.  Construction will begin at 8 am on Thursday, May 10^th at 1534 1^st Ave S, Fargo.  Lunch is provided.  Those interested in volunteering should call 218-284-5253 ext 2 or email habitat@lakeagassizhabitat.org to sign up.

To date, Women Build volunteers have helped construct more than 1,900 Habitat houses nationwide. Locally, Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity has built 4 Women Build homes.

National Women Build Week is held the week leading up to Mother’s Day because of its significance to Habitat homeowners and 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.

Lowe’s contributed more than $1.3 million to National Women Build Week, providing $5,000 Lowe’s gift cards to 275 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, enabling them to support Habitat projects across the country.

To volunteer or donate to this project, please call 218-284-5253 ext. 2, email habitat@lakeagassizhabitat.org or visit www.lakeagassizhabitat.org.