Leading up to Mother’s Day, construction crews of volunteers will join Habitat for Humanity and Lowe’s Heroes to help build more than 250 houses in partnership with families across the country. The construction of these homes is part of Habitat’s fourth annual National Women Build Week, April 30-May 8.

National Women Build Week challenges women to devote at least one day to help build affordable housing in communities. Underwritten by Lowe’s, Habitat’s Women Build program recruits, educates and inspires women to build and advocate for simple, decent and affordable housing.

Lowe’s has committed more than $1.3 million to National Women Build Week by providing $5,000 grants to 250 participating Habitat affiliates. This build is a major initiative of Lowe’s five-year, $20 million pledge to Habitat. That commitment includes underwriting of Habitat’s Women Build program, as well as providing construction know-how at in-store clinics and build sites, and funding for a variety of Habitat projects across the country.  

“This innovative program encourages women from all walks of life to pick up their hammers and build homes alongside Habitat partner families,” said Larry D. Stone, Lowe’s president and COO and chairman of the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation. “Lowe’s salutes the thousands of women who’ve volunteered on Habitat jobsites during the past 20 years and for years to come.”

This year, actress Emily Bergl, appearing in ABC’s “Desperate Housewives” and TNT’s “Southland,” is building with volunteers in Charlotte, N.C., where Habitat is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the first house built by all-women volunteers.

“I get such a sense of accomplishment helping to build in communities with families who will own these homes,” said Bergl, who has previously built with Habitat in the United States and Thailand. “I absolutely encourage other women to become involved in building with Habitat.”

“National Women Build Week has become one of our most exciting annual projects,” said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. “Hundreds of women all across the country come together to learn new skills, share their expertise, provide encouragement and build relationships while working alongside families in need of decent shelter. We are grateful to all the volunteers and the organizers, to Emily Bergl, and especially to Lowe’s for helping families realize their dreams.”

Click here to view a video about National Women Build Week.

To find a Women Build project in your area, visit www.habitat.org/cd/local/event.aspx.