Thousands of volunteers to build homes nationwide alongside future homeowners May 6 through 14

EASTON — Habitat for Humanity Choptank and Lowe’s invite women to build alongside future homeowners during the 10th annual National Women Build Week, May 6 through 14. Habitat Choptank is one of 300 Habitat organizations nationwide hosting Women Build projects during the week with support from Lowe’s, a longtime partner in the event.

In Dorchester and Talbot counties, local volunteers will have the opportunity to participate in three unique projects. May 10, will mark the kick-off of Women on Wednesdays with a neighborhood revitalization project in Easton. In March 2017, Habitat Choptank celebrated the sale of its 72nd home also known as the Women Build House which was a women built and women funded project. The women volunteers enjoyed building together so much on that home that they will continue their weekly outreach each Wednesday. Additional volunteers are welcome to join.

On May 12, volunteers can take part in a new construction build with a single family home on Port Street in Easton. Over in Cambridge, volunteers will work at a rehab house on Mace’s Lane May 13. For each work day, there are a limited number of volunteer slots available to ensure work for all. Volunteers can sign up for morning or afternoons shifts. Lunch will be provided for volunteers from 12-12:30 pm.

National Women Build Week brings together women to devote at least one day to building decent and affordable housing in their local communities. Nearly 100,000 women from all 50 states have volunteered in previous years.

“We are excited to participate in the 10th annual National Women Build Week,” said Nancy Andrew, executive director of Habitat Choptank. “This is a great opportunity for women of all skill levels to come together to help hardworking local families build and repair a decent and affordable place they can call home, and we are grateful to Lowe’s for their financial and volunteer support.”

Lowe’s helped launch National Women Build Week in 2008. Each year, the company provides the support of Lowe’s Heroes volunteers and conducts how-to clinics at stores to teach volunteers construction skills. This year, Lowe’s contributed nearly $2 million to National Women Build Week. Since its partnership began in 2003, Lowe’s has committed more than $63 million to Habitat and helped nearly 6,500 families improve their living conditions.

No construction skills are necessary to participate in this year’s project. To volunteer or donate, call 410-476-3204 or email info@habitatchoptank.org.

For more information on National Women Build Week, visit Habitat.org/wb

Since 1992, Habitat Choptank has made homeownership possible for 72 families and currently partners with eight local homebuyers. Six homes are under construction at this time with plans to start at least six more over the coming year. Income qualifying homebuyers are offered access to affordable mortgage financing in order to purchase a new construction or rehabbed home from the nonprofit’s project inventory of durable and energy efficient homes. After completing “sweat equity” hours, attending pre-homeownership classes, and meeting debt reduction and savings goals, these individuals and families will purchase homes that they helped construct and assume the full responsibilities of home ownership including maintaining their home, paying property taxes and repaying their mortgage over 30 to 33 years. Habitat accepts applications for its homeownership program throughout the year.