Oxnard, CA – In the days leading up to Mother’s Day, construction crews of female volunteers will raise their hammers at Habitat for Humanity construction sites across the country in recognition of National Women Build Week, April 30 to May 8. Lowe’s and Habitat for Humanity are looking for local women to volunteer for a day at a Habitat construction site. Construction or home improvement experience is not necessary.

Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County and a crew of women volunteers and sponsors will be working on two Habitat homes at 550 and 552 Temescal Street in Piru on Saturday, April 30th. The day will begin at 8:00 am with Supervisor Kathy Long welcoming and thanking the volunteers.

“We are very excited about having these ladies work side by side with our partner families,” said Stacy Swanson, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County. “Their hard work today will help bring the dream of homeownership one step closer for the Vergara and Orozco families.”

The Mother’s Day timeframe was selected for its significance to many volunteers. Families with children make up a staggering number of those in need of adequate housing. More than 12 million children - one in six - live in poverty housing in the United States alone.

To date, female volunteers have built more than 1,800 Habitat houses nationwide during National Women Build Week. Locally, Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County has hosted five Women Build events.

National Women Build Week challenges women to devote at least one day in the effort to help eliminate poverty housing. The event, now in its fourth year, has drawn more than 20,000 female volunteers from all 50 states.

Lowe’s is contributing more than $1.3 million to National Women Build Week and providing $5,000 Lowe’s gift cards and building materials to more than 250 Habitat affiliates. National Women Build Week is one of the major initiatives supported through Lowe’s five-year, $20 million pledge to Habitat.
As the underwriter of the Women Build program since 2004, Lowe’s conducts how-to clinics at stores to teach women construction skills and empower them to support Habitat projects across the country.

To volunteer or donate to this project, please call (805) 485-6065, x205, visit www.habitatventura.org , or email kathleeno@habitatventura.org.

About Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County
Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit, ecumenical Christian housing organization that builds homes in partnership with people in need of adequate shelter. Homeowners are selected based on their need for housing, ability to repay a no-interest loan, and willingness to partner with Habitat for Humanity. Mortgage repayments to Habitat contribute to help build additional houses. Because Habitat’s loans are no-interest, they are affordable for low-income family partners. Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County, a locally-run affiliate, has built homes for 52 Ventura County families and rehabilitated over 500 homes since 1983. To learn more about Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County, visit www.habitatventura.org.

About Lowe’s
Lowe’s supports the communities it serves through programs that focus on K-12 public education and community improvement projects. The company’s signature education grant program, Lowe’s Toolbox for Education, has brought more than $5 million in grants to K-12 public schools every year since its inception in 2005. Lowe’s Heroes employee volunteers support local community projects and our national nonprofit partners such as Habitat for Humanity International and the American Red Cross. In 2010, Lowe’s and the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation together contributed more than $30 million to support communities in the United States, Canada and Mexico. To learn more, visit Lowes.com/socialresponsibility.

About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian ministry that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built, rehabilitated, repaired or improved more than 400,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 2 million people. For more information, or to donate or volunteer, visit Habitat.org.