For over a decade, the Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva has been a pillar of support for Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build project in Lee County. Through financial grants and hands-on service, Zonta has played a crucial role in funding and constructing homes for Lee County residents who meet specific criteria, making a tangible difference in their lives.
In May, Zontians attended a “Thank You” party hosted by Habitat at the McGregor ReStore in Fort Myers to honor the organizations and individuals who contributed to the successful 2024 Women Build program. The party raised a total of $534,005.
Prior to this, Zontians turned up on building sites on separate days in April and May to provide physical labor, accomplishing tasks such as exterior and interior painting and laying flooring. They worked under the guidance of construction professionals and alongside other volunteers to create homes for female-led households.
Exhausted but happy: Zontians at the Habitat site in Cape Coral Installing 2,000 square feet of flooring in Cape Coral
Women Build holds a focused campaign annually that typically kicks off in March and culminates in two or more homes awarded to new owners in May. Over the years, Zonta’s sponsorship has helped provide safe, low-cost homes for dozens of female heads of household and their children.
“Women Build was extremely rewarding for the Zontians who participated,” said Paula Friedman, co-chair of service for the club. “We worked in small teams to lay 2,000 square feet of flooring in just one day. We went home exhausted but so happy to have helped bring someone’s lifelong dream of home ownership closer to reality.”
For information on Habitat, click here; to learn about Zonta or donate, click here.