Women Build Volunteers, Donors & Supporters,

I’m excited to announce that Habitat’s 2009 Women Build home is finished! For the first time in her life, Lillian Dye has a home she can truly call her own. This would not have been possible without your donations, volunteer service and support. Once again I would like to say thank you to everyone who played a part in this Women Build project.

Habitat typically celebrates the completion of a build with a dedication ceremony. In keeping with the Women Build theme, we dedicated Lillian’s home on Mother’s Day. While the date was fitting, unfortunately most of you did not have the opportunity to see the finished product. We think you all deserve to see the end result of your hard work! So, on behalf of Lillian Dye and Habitat for Humanity of Iredell County, I would like to invite you to a drop-in reception at Lillian’s home. Please join us at 1300 Partnership Way on Friday, July 10th from 5:15 to 5:45pm. Enjoy light refreshments as you tour Lillian’s home. Bring your family and friends and show them what you accomplished! Please RSVP if you will be able to attend. Call the Habitat office if you need directions to the site.

Please remember that Women Build is now an annual program at Habitat for Humanity of Iredell County! If you missed the opportunity to work on this home, you will have another chance to help with Women Build 2010. Also remember that Habitat is always in need of volunteers for a variety of projects. If you would like to get involved in the ReStore, in the office or on other construction projects please let me know!

Thank you again, for all your support. I hope to see you on Friday July 10th.
In Partnership,

David Moore
Director of Volunteers
Habitat for Humanity of Iredell County
david@habitatiredell.org
704-871-0409

Thanks to everyone who came out to paint Saturday. We had a great group of volunteers on site and accomplished more than we had hoped. It’s true that many hands make light work! Please read below for more opportunities to get involved this week, and this coming Saturday. Anything you can do to help will be greatly appreciated.

Women Build: Finish Work & Cleanup Volunteers Needed Saturday 6/20
The Women Build home was dedicated on Mother’s Day, but construction is still in progress. We need a group of 10 women to work on the home this Saturday, June 20th. Work will begin at 9:00am. Tasks will include touch-up paint, finish work and site clean-up. This may be your last opportunity to work on the Women Build 2009 home. It doesn’t sound like much, but this work day is important to get the home ready for Lillian to move in. Please let me know if you would like to help out with Women Build this Saturday!

Thank you all for your continued support of Habitat and Women Build.

In Partnership,

David Moore
Director of Volunteers
Habitat for Humanity of Iredell County

On May 09, 2009 many volunteers and supporters celebrated with Lillian Dye and the staff of Habitat for Humanity of Iredell County as her new home was Dedicated!

Eveyln Funderburk’s photo

More than a dozen women traded in their high heels and business suits Wednesday for a pair of dirty sneakers, blue jeans and a hammer.

The women worked on the construction site of the Women Build home, which is part of the Habitat for Humanity Fourth Creek Village.

On this day, they left their makeup and purses at home and traded them in for tape measures, buckets of nails and ladders.

Jamie Morrison, who is affiliated with Iredell County Home Builders Association, was proud to lend a hand to the project.

“It’s a great experience,” she said. “It’s always good to help when somebody’s in need.”

This week is the National Women Build Week. The local Habitat affiliate was one of 175 chosen to participate.

Homeowner Lillian Dye was on site doing her part to build her first home.

The 66-year-old had little to say, but was clearly ecstatic about occupying her two bedroom, two bathroom home in just a few short weeks.

She was happy women in the county have come together to build her home.

“They’re showing love and their concern,” Dye said.

Construction of the home began in February and is scheduled for completion in three weeks, according to Executive Director Scott Loudermelt.

Some 200 women have had a hand in building the home.

Loudermelt said he is amazed by the participation and interest in the project.

“It’s remarkable the amount of help and the amount of caring,” he said.

For Maggie Shoobridge, being part of the Women Build was a dream fulfilled.

She has been involved early on since the fundraising began, but was excited to work on site.
“The idea has been close to my heart,” she said.

Shoobridge, who took a vacation day from work to participate, said she is humbled to be part of the process.

Pat Abell began volunteering after retiring following a 30-year career in physical therapy at Iredell Memorial Hospital.

She to devote as much time to volunteering as she possibly could.

She has done just that.

Her parents built homes and she always wanted to be part of the process. Getting to work with women of all ages and backgrounds is a bonus.

“I support the ideals of Habitat for Humanity and I wanted to learn how to build,” Abell said.