Thursday, February 24, 2011

Habitat for Humanity to dedicate Women Build House

Tyrrena Ostrander and her sons will receive the keys to their new home and to a brighter future at a special home dedication and open house on Friday, March 25, at 182 Edward St.

What’s unique about this Habitat for Humanity house is that approximately 450 women picked up hammers and power tools to build alongside the Ostrander family. The Saint Mary’s University team of 41 individuals raised $9,400 toward the home and has been involved with construction throughout the year.

The groundbreaking ceremony was held in May 2010, and in mid-April the family will be able to move into their new home.

Women built the house as part of Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build program, underwritten by Lowe’s, which encourages women to build Habitat houses to move families out of substandard housing. Nationally more than 1,500 Habitat homes have been built by crews of women; this was Winona County’s first Women Build House.

The community is invited — between 5:30 and 7 p.m. — to tour the home, enjoy refreshments, welcome the Ostrander family and congratulate the hard-working Habitat volunteers. A program will begin at 6 p.m.