Looking for a way to celebrate National Women Build Week (Apr. 30 – May 8)? You can sign up for volunteer slots at Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity’s eighth Women Build, named in honor of Pat Heiden, in Iowa City.
Slots are still open for Thursday and Friday work times. Volunteers must be 16 or older, and those under 18 need permission from a parent or guardian. On Friday, May 6, volunteers are scheduled to build the framing walls with future owner Sofia Diaz.
Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity Development Director Tami Bonnett said they expect about 50 people for the framing up the walls. After the wall build, the rest of the home construction will take place from August through November.
“No prior construction skills or knowledge is necessary; we provide all the training and tools volunteers need to accomplish tasks scheduled for the day,” she said.
“The Women Build is open to both men and women as the goal is to give everyone a comfortable environment to learn and carry out construction skills,” Bonnett said, adding that the project also “serves to recognize and honor women that work in building trades as well as giving recognition to all of the women who are working to better our community.”
Habitat will sell the Pat Heiden Women Build home to Diaz with a no-profit mortgage. Diaz can purchase the home because she met specific criteria for the home deal.
Pat Heiden is the Executive Director of Oaknoll Retirement Residence and a Democratic candidate for Johnson County Supervisor.
Volunteers are encouraged to sign up for time slots for May 6 when there are two shifts, 12:30-3:30 p.m. and 4:30-7:30 p.m.
The following day, May 7, the Christine Grant 5K Run/Walk takes place at Terry Trueblood Recreation Area at 4213 SE Sand Road in Iowa City, Iowa. The event starts at 9 a.m.; registration is $30, or $20 for students, and is open through midnight Thursday, May 5.
Funds raised from the race will go to the Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity Women Build project.
