Third Women Build event set for May

Garland County women can break through the stereotype of male-only construction crews next month by helping Garland County Habitat for Humanity build two homes.

As part of Habitat’s national Women Build Week, May 16-20, an all-female crew will begin the framing process on two houses, Cindy Wagstaff, executive director of Habitat, said Wednesday.

“Our goal is to have both houses framed and trestles on by Saturday,” she said.

Construction is typically considered a male-oriented industry, she said. The Women Build Week events introduce women to the construction process in a more comfortable atmosphere.

Women of all skill levels are encouraged to participate, a news release said.

Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit agency, relies on volunteers and provides affordable housing to those who could not otherwise afford to purchase a home.

“We hope that some of the women will continue on volunteering on other houses,” she said.

Volunteering with Habitat helps participants understand the labor involved in assisting families become homeowners, she said.

“Everybody hears that the families put in sweat equity, but they are literally sweating.”

Wagstaff said this year’s Women Build Week event will include work on two houses side

by side, at 604 and 606 Lincoln St., to give more women the chance to volunteer.

Last year, 80 women participated in the build, which had grown from its inaugural year in 2015. This year, there is space for 200 women to participate, she said.

Habitat has also added an extra day to the build to increase participation. The build will be held from 8 a.m. to noon on Tuesday through Saturday of that week. Participants can choose what day they want to volunteer.

Coffee to get volunteers going in the morning is provided each day by Red Light Roastery and Kollective Coffee+Tea. Lunch is also provided each day. LongHorn Steakhouse, Chickfil-A, Fat Jack’s Oyster Sports Bar, the Hotel Hot Springs & Spa, and Hot Springs Village RE/MAX, which will provide pizza, are each taking a day to donate lunch.

Participants will also be provided with a T-shirt, nail apron, construction pencil and work gloves.

Wagstaff said they are extremely grateful for their sponsors.

“We are really excited this year because Hot Springs Village is a presenting sponsor,” she said. “Lowes (Home Improvement), have also just supplied everything we’ve needed.”

First Security Bank has also helped out by sponsoring the event, she said.

The Women Build event is something held by Habitat for Humanity across the country, she said.

To register to volunteer or for more information, call Garland County Habitat for Humanity at 501-623-5600.

For those who want to volunteer with the nonprofit but cannot make the Women Build Week, they can call to volunteer at other times. Normal volunteer times for Habitat are 8 a.m. to noon Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, Wagstaff said, noting lunch is donated on Saturdays and doughnuts on Tuesdays.