A dozen area women hung drywall and applied siding at two Aurora homes being constructed by Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity...
Area women pound nails in fourth annual Fox Valley Habitat Women’s Build
AURORA, Ill., Aug. 8, 2020 — A dozen area women hung drywall and applied siding at two Aurora homes being constructed by Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity in a fourth annual, three-day Women’s Build. The build was held Aug. 1, 6 and 8 at 423 Parker Ave. and 829-831 Grove St., both in Aurora.
From 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 1, a half dozen women volunteered at 423 Parker. On Thursday, Aug. 6, three women worked at the Parker site. Four women volunteered Saturday, Aug. 8, at 829-831 Grove St. in Aurora. Al Green, Habitat construction coordinator, supervised the female crews.
On Thursday, Aug. 6, three women from Studio 41 Home Design in Naperville volunteered at the Parker Avenue site. They were Katie Park, North Aurora; Emma New, Naperville; and Carrie Skreens, Winfield, Studio 41 manager.
According to Skreens, Studio 41 has donated over $100,000 worth of building supplies, bathroom tubs, vanities and sinks to Habitat over the past three years.
On Saturday, Aug. 8, at Grove Street, volunteers were Paula Merrington, Geneva; Betsy Giustino, Elburn; Amy Hain, Oak Park; and Barbara Hague, Desplaines.
COVID-19 scaled down this year’s build. Barb Zegiel, Habitat funds coordinator, said “Our goal this year was to raise $50,000 in cash and building supplies. Due to Covid 19, we cancelled two of the 5 days scheduled and only 13 ladies of the 75 originally signed up for the 2020 women build are volunteering. Only $2,500 has been raised so far. Volunteers contribute $250 daily for expenses.
“We scheduled a few days just for the ladies who wanted to join us. Everything was canceled this year due to the virus, but a few ladies raised funds to help us build,” Zegiel said.
She added that in the 2019 Women Build, $22,556 was raised and 64 women participated in a three-day build at 823 Gillette Ave. in Aurora. Women age 16 and older participated in the 2019 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.
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. Habitat will open a ReStore resale store for new and gently used home goods and building supplies at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 25, at 2302 W. Indian Trail 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 64 new or upgraded homes.
Volunteers and donations of funds and materials are needed to continue the ministry. Call (630) 206-5038 for more information.
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Al Benson
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.
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