MEDIA ADVISORY - Habitat's Women Build 2016 event starts September 14

Nearly 1,000 women rally to build safe, decent homes for 15 GTA families

TORONTO, Sept. 9, 2016 /CNW/ - Chalk Line Chicks, Ponytail Power and Heels of Steel are just a few of the teams who will rally together, hammers in hand, at the seventh annual Women Build fundraising event presented by Benefit Cosmetics, in support of Habitat for Humanity Greater Toronto Area. 

Women Build celebrates and harnesses the unbeatable power of women to come together and wield their collective strength to help transform a community. For nine days, September 14-17 and 20-24, nearly 1,000 women from all walks of life – including builders, crew leaders, event volunteers, speakers and sponsors –will collaborate to build safe, decent homes for 15 working, low-income families in need of affordable housing. In addition to helping build homes, event participants aim to raise $500,000 to support Habitat GTA's homebuilding projects.  

What:	Women Build - Opening Day*
When:	Wednesday, September 14, 2016 from 8:30 AM to 4 PM
	8:30 AM	Welcome Speeches & Opportunities for interviews
	9 AM – Noon	Building on Site (Safety gear required to enter site**)
	Noon – 1 PM	Lunch, Habitat Partner Family Speaks, Hammer Competition
	1 – 4 PM	Building on Site (Safety gear required to enter site**)
Where:	140 Pinery Trail, Toronto (west of Neilson Road)
Who:	Ene Underwood, CEO, Habitat for Humanity, Greater Toronto Area
	Marni Dicker, Chair, Women Build Executive Committee and Executive
	Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, Infrastructure Ontario
	Lisa Richardson, Board Member, Habitat for Humanity, GTA and VP, Mobility
	Customer Experience, TELUS

* Media interested in visiting the Women Build site after the Sept. 14 Opening Day Media Op can contact the Habitat GTA Communications team directly to arrange on-site access.

**NOTE: Long pants and safety gear (hard hats, safety boots provided by Habitat GTA) must be worn to enter the build site.

About Habitat for Humanity Greater Toronto Area (GTA): Habitat for Humanity GTA is a non-profit housing organization working with communities to build homes with local families in need of affordable housing.  By offering zero down payment, no-interest mortgages capped at 30 percent of a family's income, Habitat for Humanity GTA empowers families to achieve stability and self-reliance, so that they can build a better life for themselves and their children. Since 1988, Habitat GTA has built more than 300 homes in partnership with families. Habitat GTA is one of more than 1,400 Habitat for Humanity affiliates worldwide sharing a common vision and purpose. To learn more, follow us on Twitter @HabitatGTA, Facebook Habitat for Humanity GTA or visit www.habitatgta.ca

SOURCE Habitat for Humanity GTA

Carol Davies, Senior Director, Marketing & Communications, Office: 416-755-7353 ex: 259, Cell: 416-428-1356, [email protected]; Karen Lorenowicz, Communications & Public Relations Officer, Office: 416-245-2475, [email protected]