MONTGOMERY, Ill., Oct. 14, 2019—Montgomery-based Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity will dedicate its first Women Build home at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, at 823 Gillette Ave. in Aurora.

The public is invited.

A program will include remarks by Habitat and elected officials, presentation of house keys and a family Bible to the future homeowner, Elsa Macias of Aurora, and an open house with refreshments.

The event marks Fox Valley Habitat’s 63^rd dedication in Aurora, North Aurora and Montgomery since the nonprofit’s founding in 1988.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held March 16. Volunteers launched construction May 9-11 after remarks from Aurora Police Chief Kristen Ziman, State Rep. Barbara Hernandez and Lauren Voit, president, Great Western Flooring Co., Naperville.

After directions from Julie Clark, Habitat volunteer coordinator, and a prayer by Barb Zegiel, Habitat funds coordinator, 20 volunteers decked out in “She Nailed It” T-shirts grabbed hammers and set to work nailing pink-hued studs to frame interior walls.

Following Habitat tradition, volunteers wrote messages on the pink studs to the future homeowner Elsa Macias and her daughters Minerva and Vivian and Maria Arevalo, Elsa’s mother.

Women age 16 and older participated in the Build as individuals or teams. Volunteers included 10 groups who comprised about 100 volunteers plus 200 individuals.

Volunteer groups represented Nicor Gas, Grace United Methodist Church, Naperville; Aurora University Campus Chapter, Habitat for Humanity; St. Katharine Drexel Church, Aurora; Builders Club, Fox Valley Habitat; TD Ameritrade, O-Cedar, Anixter, Aurora Country Club Women and AON.

Volunteers donated $250 per day for building materials and other expenses.

Subcontractors came in to do some of the bigger jobs — like pouring concrete for the foundation, and installing the new plumbing, electric, and heating and cooling systems.

About Fox Valley Habitat

Founded in 1988 in Aurora, Fox Valley Habitat is based at Genesis Community Church in Montgomery. A Habitat warehouse is at 250 S. Highland Ave. in Aurora.

The nondenominational Christian housing ministry partners with people in need to deliver affordable shelter. More than 200 residents of Aurora, North Aurora and Montgomery have been served through 63 new or upgraded homes.

Volunteers and donations of funds and materials are needed to continue the ministry. Call (630) 859-3355 for more information.

Read more Aurora faith news at XPian News… https://xpian.news/category/aurora/

Al Benson

Freelance Photo-Journalist

Al Benson is an Aurora-based freelance photo-journalist. He is currently an archives research specialist at Aurora University. His work has appeared in The Voice, The Daily Herald, The Beacon-News, and the Chicago Tribune.