LONGS, SC (WBTW) – Dozens of women volunteered to help build a house with Habitat for Humanity in honor of International Women’s Day.
The day was part of Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build Week, which has a purpose that goes beyond teaching women basic construction skills.
“It’s teaching the women how they can make a difference and they can pay it forward for the goodness that they have in their life,” Vicki Levy, volunteer at large and former board member for Habitat for Humanity said.
“Everything good in my life has come from what happens inside my home. Whether it was in my parents’ home growing up, or my home as a young, married mom with kids, and so I realized how important that was and I realized there was a way for me to join forces with Habitat, an established organization, and help others realize that same dream,” Levy said.
Habitat’s Women Build Week teaches volunteers how to lay brick and put up dry wall, but it is also a chance for volunteers like Connie Holsteon, a member of the North Myrtle Beach Women’s Club, to give back to their communities.
“It’s a wonderful feeling for us and a wonderful result for the people in need,” Holsteon said.
Some of the women had never swung a hammer before Friday, but left the build feeling empowered.
“It’s great to see women who wouldn’t normally sign up on a normal build day, but we come together and we’re empowered and work as a team to build a house,” Alissa Wallace, a Habitat for Humanity staff member said.
“It’s about empowering women to believe in themselves, to believe in their ability, and once they grow that ability, to pass it on and make a difference in this world,” Levy said.
For information about how to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, click here.
