NEW LEBANON – Columbia County Habitat for Humanity Women Build hosted a media event on Saturday, May 5, proclaiming National Women Build Week 2018 which is observed May 5 to 13. The house they are working on is on County Route 13 at the very top of Columbia County north of East Chatham in New Lebanon.
Lowe’s is the sponsor of National Women Build, so the Greenport store sent a team of employees to the site to assist.
“We work in partnership,” said Habitat’s Joanne Murphy. “This year alone, Lowe’s has donated 2 million dollars to National Women Build.”
The house was donated to Habitat and contractors started on the building last fall, tearing out and rebuilding the studwork, drywall, plumbing and electric on the interior. Then volunteers took over with painting, trimwork, and flooring.
More that 50 volunteers showed up for the work on Saturday (not all women– men were also welcome). Lunch was provided by Jimmy D’s and the Blueberry Cafe in New Lebanon. The house’s new occupants, Jennifer and her daughters Samantha and Alexandra, were also on hand. New owners of Habitat houses must put in work time on their house as part of the terms of their contract.
Among future events is a Saturday evening at the Lebanon Valley Speedway on Saturday, May 12 to support New Lebanon’s Women Build project. Tickets sold by Habitat will benefit the project and part of the evening will feature “Racing 101”, an informational presentation on the fine art of stock car racing by none other than the speedway’s owner Howie Commander.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of Columbia County Habitat for Humanity.
