Women from QuintEssential

Prince Edward-Hastings Habitat for Humanity is calling on all women to roll up their sleeves this fall and join in the fight against the elimination of poverty housing.

The Habitat for Humanity fundraiser known as Women Build is officially underway, in other words.

“We’re really hoping for about 200 women to take part,” said Bojanna Lough, community relations and fund development co-ordinator for Habitat for Humanity.

The annual Women Build fundraiser asks women to sign up for a few days of building either this Sept. 14-18 or Oct. 5-9.

“We’ll be getting women doing more structural tasks and building,” said Lough. “Women will be working with tools during this event.”

This can be an interesting learning experience sometimes for women too, the co-ordinator noted.

Participants are asked to register and pay $50 per day or to raise $100 in pledges. Those who raise $200 or more are entered into a draw for prizes.

“This is our gala-type fundraiser — we’re just not getting all dressed up,” Lough explained.

Funds raised, as well as donated time, will help two local families in need to get a semi-detached new home. Both of these homes are located on Golfdale Road in Belleville. “Families in need are still welcome to apply for the homes too,” Lough noted. “We want to get the right family in there.”

The Prince Edward-Hastings Habitat for Humanity affiliate has built 14 homes, helping 15 families, with the community’s support and is an independent not-for-profit housing program dedicated to the elimination of poverty housing by building homes in partnership with families in need.

How it works, homeowners contribute hundreds of hours of “sweat equity” to the construction of their new homes and then repay a long-term, no-interest mortgage.

Internationally, Habitat for Humanity has built more than 500,000 homes in more than 80 countries.

“This really is going to be a fun, eventful week for women who come out and get involved,” Lough said. “So bring your friends or work group.”

The Prince Edward-Hastings branch is looking for about 15-20 women per day during the two weeks.

Lough reminds people 100 per cent of the funds raised go to helping build the homes for the families.

Call 613-962-7526 for more information in regards to the Women Build initiatives or for more information on the application process for homes.

SUBMITTED PHOTO: A group from the March, Habitat for Humanity Women Build celebrate success. The Prince Edward-Hastings Habitat for Humanity is inviting women to once again, roll up their sleeves this fall and make the difference for two local families in need of new, long-term homes.

More information on the fundraiser is also available online at www.habitatpeh.org.

By Sarah Hyatt, The Intelligencer, Monday, August 17, 2015

sarah.hyatt@sunmedia.ca