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.

I’m sending this email to remind everyone that our Women Build Dedication Ceremony has been rescheduled for this Saturday, May 9th at 3:00pm. Please plan to attend this heartwarming ceremony to join with us in celebrating the pending completion of Lillian Dye’s new home.

We often refer to these dedication ceremonies as “payday for volunteers” as this is your chance to see the work that has been accomplished thanks to your efforts. This is also your chance to meet the committee members, staff, donors and others who have had a hand in this project behind the scenes. Please join us on Saturday, May 9th at 3:00pm on the Women Build worksite for this special ceremony.

The Women Build worksite is located in Fourth Creek Village, immediately behind the Statesville Post Office.  Click this link for the driving directions.
Please note that, while we are dedicating this home on Saturday, there is plenty of work left to do. I will be contacting everyone shortly with an updated volunteer schedule, and some new opportunities to get involved in adding the finishing touches to this home.

You can see more pictures in the Photo Gallery

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