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Habitat for Humanity celebrates record-breaking 15th anniversary Women Build season, raises over $601,000

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Affirmation Jar of encouraging messages to WB25 Homebuyer Lissy. HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF LEE AND HENDRY COUNTIES
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Women Build 2025 Thank You Party check-in table. HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF LEE AND HENDRY COUNTIES
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Women Build SuperPeople, WB25 Thank You Party at McGregor ReStore. HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF LEE AND HENDRY COUNTIES
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CEO Becky Lucas gives remarks at WB 2025 Thank You Party. HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF LEE AND HENDRY COUNTIES
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Habitat CEO Becky Lucas recognizes Pat Benner, fundraising team efforts at Women Build Thank You Party. HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF LEE AND HENDRY COUNTIES
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WB25 homebuyer Lissy hands out sponsor gifts. HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF LEE AND HENDRY COUNTIES
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15th Anniversary Women Build Thank You Party, check-in. HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF LEE AND HENDRY COUNTIES
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Robert Arnall, Becky Lucas, and Ann Arnall. HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF LEE AND HENDRY COUNTIES
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Vicki Cooper and Alan Einhorn. HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF LEE AND HENDRY COUNTIES
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2025 Women Build Homebuyer Lissy and Pat Benner. HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF LEE AND HENDRY COUNTIES
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Tiffany Ojeda, Jamie Leonard, and Mari Joyce. HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF LEE AND HENDRY COUNTIES
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Connie Lizak, 2025 WB Homebuyer Lissy, and Ed Lizak. HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF LEE AND HENDRY COUNTIES
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Morgan Winde and Jasmin Costa. HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF LEE AND HENDRY COUNTIES
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Kathleen Loula, Lena Schafheimer, Michelle Constantine, Jude Falango, Diane Wycklendt and Joan Goodwin. HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF LEE AND HENDRY COUNTIES
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Chris Sheilds, Mary Yankaskas, Katherine Caldwell, and Becky Lucas. HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF LEE AND HENDRY COUNTIES
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Pat Benner, Harley Benner and George Byam. HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF LEE AND HENDRY COUNTIES
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Laura Bary and Stephanie Davis. HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF LEE AND HENDRY COUNTIES
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Ann Arnall and 2025 WB Homebuyer Lissy. HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF LEE AND HENDRY COUNTIES
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Karen Pati and 2025 WB Homebuyer Lissy. HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF LEE AND HENDRY COUNTIES
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Elisha Baird, Vicki Cooper, Ashleigh Droz, and Becky Lucas. HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF LEE AND HENDRY COUNTIES
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2025 WB Homebuyer Lissy and Liz Aurensan. HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF LEE AND HENDRY COUNTIES
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2025 WB Homebuyer Lissy and Jude Falango. HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF LEE AND HENDRY COUNTIES
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Shamar Johnson and Melissa Chaidez. HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF LEE AND HENDRY COUNTIES
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Habitat for Humanity staff group photo. HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF LEE AND HENDRY COUNTIES
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Habitat for Humanity recently concluded its 15th anniversary season of Women Build, raising more than $601,000, the largest single-year fundraising total in Women Build history for Lee and Hendry counties.

Women Build is an annual initiative to engage women in the effort to provide safe and decent homes for families in need of affordable housing. During the 2025 season, 170 volunteers contributed 1,037 hours to building homes for female-led families. Habitat also celebrated the support of 168 SuperPeople, each pledging at least $250 annually for five years to support Women Build’s mission in Lee and Hendry counties.

On May 15, the season culminated with a Thank You Party at the Habitat ReStore on McGregor Boulevard in Fort Myers. The event celebrated the record-breaking support of local sponsors, donors and 10 fundraising teams, which exceeded the 2025 Women Build goal of raising $600,000 to assist female-headed households partnering with Habitat. This year’s fundraising teams accounted for 46% of the overall goal, raising a total of $269,000.

“We are incredibly proud to have reached our 15th anniversary fundraising goal, a milestone that truly highlights our community’s generosity and dedication to Habitat’s mission,” said CEO Becky Lucas of Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties. “Women Build continues to be a vital initiative that empowers women and strengthens our mission to build hope and stability for families and generations to come.”

A portion of the funds raised during this year’s Women Build will cover the construction costs of a new affordable home for a single mom and her two teenagers. Through the partnership with Habitat, the future homeowner will put in 300 hours of sweat equity, attend more than 20 hours of homeownership classes, contribute to their closing costs and pay an affordable mortgage set at no more than 30% of their monthly income.

Since 2011, Women Build has partnered with 30 female-headed families to build strength and stability through local fundraising and volunteer efforts. This year, Habitat is set to build 62 affordable homes, with female-headed households making up 42 of its future homeowners.

To learn more about Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties or to get involved, visit Habitat4Humanity.org.