Women Build 2010 Week 8 Update

Windows, cement blocks, and stairs – oh my!
Our dedicated Women Build volunteers met the challenge of last week’s rising temperatures by pacing themselves and taking frequent water breaks. The house has transformed from a basic shell into a beautifully insulated, sheet-rocked and window-clad home. The interior stairs were installed on Friday, so things are really taking shape.
In addition, the garage foundation slab and cinder block wall were completed. The Habitat staff would like to thank everyone who went above and beyond to complete the slab and foundation wall. What a crew!

At the end of the week I was chatting with Team Leader, Kari Suter Woodson. I discovered that Kari and her husband, Bill, met while volunteering for Habitat for Humanity in El Salvador. They met on site, dated, married and then spent their honeymoon in El Salvador where they volunteered at a Habitat build site. Since their honeymoon they have also volunteered in Bolivia and Guatemala and in a few months will be heading to Jordan for a Habitat opportunity. How exciting!

A huge round of applause for volunteers from Valspar, the teams led by Kate Loe and Kari Suter Woodson, and the Elected Women Officials. The Elected Women Officials not only joined us on one of the hottest days of the summer but their build day also coincided with the upcoming Primary Elections. Thank you so much everyone for taking time out of your busy schedules to make this build a huge success.

We’re also grateful for Lunch Providers Cecil’s Deli, Gwen Leifeld, The Happy Gnome (two days) and Susan Kirchstein. See photos of the build on Flickr, Facebook or visit the Women Build website to follow along with the progress! As you go through the photos and recognize photos of yourself, friends, coworkers, or family please feel free to jot down any names that you can in comment space.

Also, we would love to have everyone share any photos that you may have taken on site. You can download photos on the Flickr website. All you need to do is open a yahoo account and add your photos to the Twin Cities Habitat Women Build group.

Keep smiling :)
Robin O’Brien
2010 Women Build Committee Member
Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity