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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Habitat for Humanity and Lowe's team up for National Women Build Week
Local volunteers join women across the United States to build affordable housing in their communities
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA, (May 8, 2013) - More than 40 women including Lowe's Heroes will volunteer over three days on a Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia construction site in recognition of National Women Build Week, May 4-12. Now in its sixth year, National Women Build Week challenges women to devote at least one day to help build affordable housing in their local communities.
The Women Build Week volunteers are working to remove partitions, remove finishes, remove carpet and other miscellaneous demolition activities to prepare a property on Saguaro Place in Centreville, VA for a complete rehabilitation. A local Girl Scout Troop is showing their support by preparing and delivering lunch to the women on Saturday May 11th. This effort officially kicks off the renovation project for Habitat for Humanity of Northern VA. The affiliate acquired the property in March this year and plans construction to take six to eight months. A local family will purchase the finished home, and will be named in the coming weeks.
Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia Executive Director, Reverend Jon Smoot said "as we work to make affordable home ownership more accessible in Northern Virginia, I am heartened to see our Women Build volunteers come out in force - to support another family realize the dream of owning their own home, and to build community with one another." The affiliate's Director of Construction, Romana Sanchez said "it is inspiring to work on a construction site with women who are empowered and confident in their skills.
Actress and author Holly Robinson Peete will help to rehabilitate a Habitat home in Los Angeles. Peete, a mother of four, is the national spokesperson for National Women Build Week 2013 and a long-time supporter of Habitat for Humanity.
"I am delighted to support National Women Build Week and want to encourage women to get involved with Habitat this week," said Peete. "Having a home provides such a strong foundation for families, and this week provides great opportunities for women to come together, learn new skills and help families in need of affordable housing."
Lowe's donated a $5,000 store gift card to Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia and $1.75 million to the 2013 National Women Build Week to support 300 participating 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 provides the support of Lowe's Heroes employee volunteers to build homes with partner families across the country.
"Lowe's has underwritten Habitat's Women Build program since 2004, and we are proud to continue to bring together women from all walks of life to raise walls alongside local families in need," said Marshall Croom, chairman of the Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation. "We thank our Lowe's Heroes and the thousands of volunteers who will help strengthen communities throughout the country this week."
The U.S. Census Bureau reports more than 16 million children are living in poverty in the United States. Nearly 48 percent of the children reside with women heads-of-household. Virginia is the 9th least affordable state, according to the Northern Virginia Affordable Housing Alliance, who notes that rents in Arlington average $1,600-$1,800 for a two bedroom apartment. The data highlights a growing need for affordable housing. Habitat's Women Build program recruits, educates and inspires women to build and advocate for simple, decent and affordable homes in their communities.
Since Habitat's Women Build Program was created in 1998, more than 2,100 Habitat for Humanity Women Build houses have been constructed in partnership with low-income families. Nearly 41,000 women from all 50 states have volunteered in the five previous events.
For more information on Habitat for Humanity's Women Build program, and to learn about Women Build projects in communities across the U.S., visit Habitat.org/wb or the National Women Build Week tab on http://www.facebook.com/habitat.
About Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia
Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia's unique model of affordable housing is focused on home ownership. Habitat homeowners secure a zero percent interest mortgage, while the non-profit secures corporate sponsorship, in-kind donations, and volunteer labor to make the home affordable. Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia (Habitat NOVA) was founded in 1990, and to date has built 80 homes, rehabilitated 4 homes and repaired 20 homes, benefiting more than 400 people. As a local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, Habitat NOVA serves the counties of Fairfax and Arlington and the Cities of Falls Church, Fairfax, and Alexandria. More information is available at www.habitatnova.org.
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 donated more than $34 million to 7,500 K-12 public schools, benefiting more than 4 million schoolchildren. Lowe's Heroes employee volunteers support local community projects and our national nonprofit partners such as Habitat for Humanity, Rebuilding Together and the American Red Cross. In 2012, 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 a global nonprofit Christian housing organization that seeks to put God's love into action by bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope. Since 1976, Habitat has served more than 600,000 families by welcoming people of all races, religions and nationalities to construct, rehabilitate or preserve homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions. For more information, to donate or to volunteer, please visit www.habitat.org, or follow us at www.facebook.com/habitat or at www.twitter.com/habitat_org or join Habitat's blog community at www.habitat.org/blog.
 | | Northern VA Volunteers on May 4, 2013 |
 | | Northern VA Volunteers May 4, 2013 |
 | | Carpet Removal May 4, 2013 |
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