Women Build 2010 Minneapolis home week 6

I felt lucky to be outside on such a beautiful Friday this past week. I arrived on site not long after the work had begun, and volunteers were already deeply involved in their tasks. Site Supervisor Terra Lumley explained that the crews were finishing up insulating the house (I’m sure they’ll appreciate their own warm abodes come winter, knowing what’s behind those walls!) and continuing to work on the subfascia, soffit, and fascia under the eaves of the roof. There was also a brand-spanking new garage slab in the back yard. The site was really looking like a blend of old and new – honoring the craftsmanship of the original builders and updating the structure to house its new owners for many years to come.

Friday’s crew was from Ecolab, a long-time Habitat partner. Construction volunteer Dawn Bierwerth was no stranger to Women Build, either. “Every year I find myself doing things I never thought I’d do,” she said. She said she was also impressed by the knowledge and skill level of the crew leaders. We agreed that this skilled leadership only gets better and better with each Women Build, as crew leaders and general volunteers alike return each year with previous years’ experience firmly planted in their memory.

Jane Bolton, the AmeriCorps Construction Volunteer Facilitator, stopped working only long enough to tell me about not one, but TWO specific volunteers that had made an impact on her that week. It turns out that both are battling cancer but still gave 100% to the jobs at hand. “I was just amazed at the humility of people to give of themselves,” she said. We are truly grateful to every single person who contributes to Women Build, but especially for those that look beyond their own struggles to help others in need. We are blessed and honored to be a part of their lives, and we are inspired by their strength.

Big thank-you’s to Week 6 Team Leaders Tricia Hall and her team, Tonya LaFave and Cargill ETI/FS Women’s Council, and the Ecolab E3 team led by Shannon Toren.

We’re also grateful for Lunch Providers Kathy Baer, Beth Gaede, Tonya LaFave, and Eric Plotner at Minneapolis Marriott City Center.

Be well!

Andrea Cole
2010 Women Build Committee Member
Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity

P.S. – Don’t miss out – there are still plenty of opportunities this summer for women to volunteer! Visit VolunteerHub to get involved.