By FRANK LEWIS

PDT Staff Writer

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.

Rosemary Poston, one of the local organizers, said the event is a nationwide initiative of Habitat’s Women Build program developed in partnership with Lowe’s. Now in its fifth year, Poston said, 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.

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, to help support Habitat’s mission to create affordable housing.

Poston said Lowe’s and Scioto County Habitat for Humanity are looking for women to volunteer at the Linden Avenue Habitat construction site for at least one of the two days, May 11 and May 12, scheduled for Womden Build. She said construction or home improvement experience is not necessary.

According to Poston, 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,” Poston said. “More than 12 million children, one in six, live in poverty housing in the United States alone.”

She said Lowe’s contributed more than $1.3 million to National Women Build Week, providing $5,000 Lowe’s gift cards to 275 Habitat affiliates.

Poston said women who want to volunteer or donate to the project can call her at 740-352-1344 or email her at chinook3428@msn.com

Frank Lewis may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 232, or at flewis@heartlandpublications.com.