New Habitat for Humanity project

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The future home of Barbara Brooks and her son, Daniel, is starting to take shape in Urbana thanks to the efforts of nearly 50 women who turned out for a daylong building event on April 30 in honor of Habitat for Humanity’s (HFH) National Women Build Week.

Launched in 2008 by Lowe’s, HFH officials estimate that over 17,000 women took part nationally in the women build event that took place from April 30 to May 8.

For the second year in a row, Habitat for Humanity of Champaign County Ohio (HFHCCO) was one of 300 HFH affiliates selected to participate in the event as over 70 individuals – the majority women – showed up to the construction site at 218 Harmon Ave. on April 30 ready to work.

Marcia Ward, volunteer executive director for HFHCCO, called the turnout “incredible” considering Champaign County is one of the smallest affiliates to participate in the national event.

“We have had the largest turnouts of any affiliate I am aware of for our size,” she said. “We heard via the grapevine that many affiliates could not meet the 50-women requirement last year, so (HFH) dropped the number to 25. We had over 50 women last year … and almost 50 women this year. We are more than blessed.”

Champaign County Auditor Karen Bailey served as keynote speaker for the event, while food and drinks were provided by The Farmer’s Daughter, The Depot Coffee House, Erin Patton State Farm Insurance and Mark Arnold.

As for getting to work on HFHCCO’s eighth home since its formation in 2003, Ward said, the volunteers who showed up on April 30 erected the walls of the home, the goal set by building supervisors Greg Ward and Frank Segreti.

Mrs. Ward said not only did the women volunteers help secure the walls to the foundation, but also did their fair share of heavy lifting as the walls, pre-made by Trinity Evangelical United Methodist Church in Upper Sandusky, had to be carried from a trailer to the foundation.

The Harmon Avenue home, expected to be move-in ready by November, will be handicap accessible.

“It’s really going to be a special home,” Mrs. Ward said.

Habitat for Humanity of Champaign County Ohio’s build site at 218 Harmon Ave. in Urbana was bustling with volunteers April 30 taking part in Habitat for Humanity’s National Women Build Week.
https://www.urbanacitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/36/2016/05/web1_Women-Build.jpgHabitat for Humanity of Champaign County Ohio’s build site at 218 Harmon Ave. in Urbana was bustling with volunteers April 30 taking part in Habitat for Humanity’s National Women Build Week. Submitted image

The framed structure is shown at 218 Harmon Ave. in Urbana after HFH began its newest local project.
https://www.urbanacitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/36/2016/05/web1_structure.jpgThe framed structure is shown at 218 Harmon Ave. in Urbana after HFH began its newest local project. Submitted image
Women volunteers leading the charge

By Joshua Keeran

[email protected]

Joshua Keeran may be reached at 937-652-1331 (ext. 1774) or on Twitter @UDCKeeran.

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