The UTC women’s basketball, softball and tennis teams will kick off construction of the 2006 Women Build House Saturday in Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga’s Shepherd Park development in Chattanooga.
Construction gets underway at 9 a.m., with the women’s basketball team working through noon, and the tennis and softball teams working from 1-4 p.m. The construction site is located at 1819 Barnes Ct.
“This year’s house is the 11th built through the annual Women Build effort and the 13th house built by women in Chattanooga,” says Linda Friberg, Women Build Co-Chair.
"I am so impressed and grateful for the generous outpouring of time, effort, and financial gifts of Chattanooga women for this project.”
“It has been an honor to be involved in this worthy effort and work alongside these remarkable female leaders and volunteers,” Vicky Gregg, CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee, Woman Build Co-Chair says. “It's exciting to see this new construction get underway, and to help a deserving Chattanooga family realize their dream."
“Habitat for Humanity is an excellent organization and a valuable tool for teaching team building,” says UTC Senior Woman Sports Administrator Laura Mincy. “Our Lady Mocs student-athletes and coaches are very excited to be a part of the Women Build project.”
Learning of Women Build efforts elsewhere, women associated with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga completed their first Women Build house in 1996. Since then one home a year has been completed (as well as two other homes built by women’s organizations.) Chattanooga leads the state of Tennessee in Habitat houses funded and built by women.
In the first three weeks of the campaign close to $30,000 has been raised, but donations are still needed to reach the $50,000 goal – the sponsorship cost of a Habitat House, say Ms. Friberg and Ms. Gregg. Donations may be sent to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga, 1201 East Main St., Chattanooga, TN, 37408. (Please note “Women Build” on the memo line).
Since its founding in 1986, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga has built more than 190 homes for low-income families in partnership with individuals, businesses, churches and foundations in the Tennessee Valley.