Women build for Habitat for Humanity

Jamie Audrain's Habitat for Humanity home in Timber Creek is coming along right on schedule. Volunteers turn up regularly to turn her dream into a reality, and Jamie works alongside as often as she can. Last week, on May 10-11, those workmates represented a first for the Sisters Habitat affiliate.

They were participants in Habitat's Women Build event. This is a nationwide event, sponsored by Lowe's and Sterling Bank, that takes place the week prior to Mother's Day. The seeds were sown in 1991 when Habitat's first women-built home was completed. By 2010, over 7,000 women volunteers joined in at over 200 Habitat affiliates.

Women all across the country sign on to work for a shift and enjoy the camaraderie found in a common purpose. More than 45 volunteers, with more on a waiting list, signed up in Sisters. After an orientation and training session, the women were assigned either a morning or afternoon shift, with tasks ranging from framing to landscaping. The big bonus for many - learning how to use power tools.

The majority of women haven't had construction experience, but some, such as team leader Kim Tyner, are regular Habitat volunteers. Amity Calvin, a Sisters High School senior whose family owns Earthwood Homes, knows her way around a construction site but hadn't worked on inside framing.

"I'm trying to get more high school students involved," she said.

Construction coordinator Shawn O'Hern said, "It's been a joy doing the women's build." Team leader Toni Landis added, "There's great energy here, lots of competent, skilled people and caring attitudes."

Cathy Marshall, celebrating her birthday on the site, rounded up close friend Karen Mansker to join her.

"Its a fun thing to do, and I get to spend the day with my friend," said Mansker. The pair were busy at the Moffet home when The Nugget arrived, laying sod, setting in shrubs and raking bark.

Audrain was delighted that her home, and the next-door Moffet home, were the recipients of Sisters' first Women Build efforts. She was touched that many participants were friends, family and co-workers. Dotted around the two-by-fours making up the frame of her home were messages of goodwill added during the course of the event.

"We're starting something here," she said. "I've always been an independent girl. I like that my house is the first." Audrain, remembering that her favorite Sisters High School teacher, Mr. Rice, taught construction, figured he'd be smiling if he could see her now.