Habitat for Humanity of Greater Palm Beach County Women Build 2024
Funded by Women, Built by Women, Empowering Women
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Palm Beach County (Habitat GPBC) recently hosted its annual Women Build fundraiser on March 14th and 15th in Lake Worth Beach. The event was sold out, and it turned out to be a record year with 320 registered builders and a total attendance of 500+. Women Build raised $500,000 and counting for Habitat’s mission!
This annual event was the largest Women Build campaign in the nation! Participants worked on two new construction homes, revitalized two existing homes, and assisted with a community clean-up. Tasks included roofing, painting, fencing, and landscaping. This was also the first year Habitat for Humanity of Greater Palm Beach County had Girls Build as part of the event, with plans to expand it. This year, ten girls took part in the build with their mentors. Together, the Women Build teams increased the stock of affordable housing while also improving the community.
During the event, Habitat surprised Rebecca Carter with the news that she was accepted into the Habitat Homeownership program as the Women Build 2024 Habitat Partner Family. Rebecca has been working hard to secure stable housing for her and her daughter and will now achieve that with Habitat. “I am still just floored at what is happening and so incredibly excited for the next chapters. I’ve been trying so hard to be able to provide a home for my daughter, and your organization [Habitat] is making that possible.” – Rebecca Carter, Future Habitat Homeowner.
Habitat was also joined by Florida State Representative Mike Caruso, who is currently co-sponsoring Habitat’s Resilient Housing for Veterans and Essential Employees state appropriation request.
“This year’s Women Build event was amazing in every way, and we are grateful to all the builders who participated. Their efforts will establish a strong foundation and a brighter future for women like Rebecca and their families. By recruiting, empowering, and uplifting women, we can transform lives in our communities.” said Jennifer Thomason, the CEO/President of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Palm Beach County.
The land for the 2024 Women Build home was generously donated to Habitat by the Lake Worth Beach CRA. Together, the Lake Worth CRA and Habitat for Humanity of Greater Palm Beach County are working to increase access to affordable housing in the city. “Working with Habitat for Humanity for the past fourteen years has been a wonderful experience, both for us and for the community. We truly appreciate the partnership we have with Habitat and our shared goals in providing efficient, new, affordable homes for every income level.” – Joan Oliva, Executive Director, Lake Worth Beach CRA.
The Women Build 2024 Committee included Co-Chairs Aimee Craig Carlson and Camille Murphy Kubicek; Honorary Co-chairs Clara Bennett and Sophia Eccleston; Legacy Committee Members Beverly Raphael-Altman, Robyn Raphael-Dynan, Danielle Rosse, and Kelly Smallridge; and committee members Collin Adams, Maria Antuña, Whitney Hesse, Jennifer Houston, Elizabeth Jones, Lucy Joseph, Taylor Materio, Laureen Pannullo, Julie Peyton, Lana Rosenzweig, Mary Allen Saunders, Stephanie Schwed, Cori Lee Seaberg, Noelle Tantillo, Judith Temple, and Varito Vasquez.
Sponsors of Women Build 2024, to date, include: The Lake Worth Beach CRA (Land Donor); The Ben West Palm Beach (Kick-off Party Sponsor); Carrier and Vertical Bridge (Foundation Builder Sponsors); BETR Project, FPL, Gypsum Management & Supply Inc, Moraca Builders, Nosh Catering, Pioneer Linens, The Royal Poinciana Plaza, SFBW Magazine (Home Builder Sponsors); WPBF25 (News Media Sponsor); 97.9 WRMF (Exclusive Radio Sponsor); Florida Peninsula and RCC Associates (Hard Hat Sponsors); Related Companies (Hospitality Tent Sponsor); Apricot & Olive (Palm Beach Picnic Provisions Sponsor); Suffolk Construction (Pink Hammer Sponsor); Palm Beach Illustrated (Exclusive Magazine Sponsor); Jmorton Planning & Landscape Architecture (Pink Carpet Sponsor); Boca Raton Airport Authority, Publix, and Seagate Hotel (Refreshment Sponsors); Akel Homes, Baptist Health of South Florida, Dunay, Miskel, and Backman, Krista + Home, Oceans 234, Palm Beach Chamber, Pink Palm Group at Douglas Elliman, PulteGroup, Sandy James Catering, Shutts and Bowen, Whitney Hesse (Community Builder Sponsors); Pretty Picnic (Picnic Design Sponsor); Out East (Palm Beach Picnic Rosé Sponsor); Lincoln Digital Group (Palm Beach Picnic Entertainment Sponsor); Fuocogroup, Grilled Cheese Gallery, Gunster, Hedrick Brothers Construction, Humana, Impact Irrigation and Landscaping, Lewis Longman & Walker, Seacoast Bank, The Aesthetics Lounge & Spa, Universal Engineering Sciences, and WGI (Hope Builder Sponsors); MasterWing Creative Agency (Marketing Sponsor); Allini Water & Filters of Florida (Water Sponsor); ESPN West Palm and WLRN (Media Sponsors); Magen Protective Services (Security Sponsor); Starbucks (Coffee Sponsor); Nonprofit Nest (Apparel Sponsor).
About Habitat for Humanity of Greater Palm Beach County:
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Palm Beach County is a 501©(3) organization and an affiliate of a global nonprofit, Habitat for Humanity International. Our mission is to bring people together to build homes, communities, and hope. Since 1986, we have built 426 new homes, revitalized 749 existing homes, and partnered with over 1,170 families and individuals in need of safe, decent, and affordable housing in Palm Beach County. Habitat homeowners apply to qualify for the program, then help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Through financial support, volunteering, and shopping or donating to any of our five ReStore-Thrift Store & Donation centers, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower. To discover more, visit www.habitatgreaterpbc.org and follow us online at @HabitatGPBC.
For any inquiries, contact Kristen Bardin, Director of Advancement, at kristen.bardin@habitatgreaterpbc.org.