Story by James Leigh
Photos by Donald Cross
The week of Oct. 1-5 will mark the ninth year Garland County Habitat for Humanity has held a Women Build event.
Originally called Heels to Hammers, the name changed a few years ago, but the premise of bringing in groups of women to help build homes for Habitat for Humanity remains the same.
"Habitat has a big story to tell, and Women Build gives people that may not be a part of that story or feel like they have something to contribute an opportunity to be a part of our story," Leah MacPhee, who chairs the county's Women Build committee, said.
"It's a story of hope and caring and community and sharing. ... The very end goal is putting someone in the home, but the most visible part of that goal is building a house. You drive down the street and you see that."
MacPhee said people often see the finished project or read a story about it, but many things go into that project that may be overlooked.
"This gives the women and people in the community a glimpse into not only building that house, but what goes into that before -- the things they don't see, which is Cindy Wagstaff, the director, and her amazing staff along with a board of directors and all the people that contribute, which is the Restores and the volunteers to make that end goal possible," she said.
"They get it when they come and they work. They realize it's a physical thing that they do, rather than just driving by or seeing an article in the newspaper or seeing an ad for ReStore. Why should they come, and what difference does that make to contribute, to clean out their house and donate to Habitat ReStores? Well, that goes directly into building a house, which is our end goal."
Alisa Martin, who received one of the houses that was part of the Women Build last year, said the program not only helped provide her a house but also expanded her family.
"We all became family out there," said Martin, who was working for Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort, which was part of the Women Build, "so it was even more special because they were part of the Women Build, and I worked for them."
"I also had the opportunity to have my co-workers to come out there, and we built my home."
Heather Busch, one of the members of the committee, said when she first heard about the program, she was unsure what it would be.
"My perception of it from the beginning was like, 'Oh, really? What are we going to do? What are a bunch of women really going to do?'" she said. "But we go to work. ... We are able to raise walls, and do a lot of things out there. It's not just 'Oh, Women Build, come out and walk around and socialize.' ... We get out there and work, and we work hard, and these women take it seriously, and they want to contribute to the project, and it's just a great event."
The mission of Habitat for Humanity drew Mary Metcalf in years ago, having volunteered to help build a house in Pennsylvania.
"I was a single mom for years, and I was fortunate enough to be able to buy my own house," she said. "But I saw what a difference it made in my kids' lives, and I just love that Habitat provides families -- or even single people -- with the opportunity to purchase a home where they might not be able to and just the joy that I know that parent has given their children a home they can call their own. So I just love that program."
Metcalf was encouraged by a friend to participate in a Heels to Hammers event approximately three years ago, which led to Garland County Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Cindy Wagstaff inviting her to join the Women Build committee.
"We did and found out there was a fine art to hammering a nail, but I've got to say too that (Construction Supervisor) Jerry (Jones) and the team are amazing," she said. "The volunteers -- the guys -- they are patient, and they teach you how to do everything correctly, and it's just a great day."
Gina Rockwell, another committee member, said Jones and the regular construction crew are instrumental to the success of the progress of the buildings.
"Jerry and his crew, they're there, and they're the ones who are there all the time, year-round," she said. "They're there to instruct us. There's a little course that they help us learn how to ... hit a nail correctly, how to wear our (tool belt) ... all the things. So that's the beginning. There's breakfast, usually provided from a volunteer or sponsor, and then we start building walls. I love lifting them. When it's time to lift the wall, we count down, and you lift it, and it's beautiful."
Busch said the event builds bonds, not only with the homeowner but also with the other volunteers.
"I really think you build bonds with your community when you work," she said. "When you work together, that's whenever bonds are built. So you're out there accomplishing something together with fellow bankers, people from all walks of life out there contributing to one goal. So that's always fun."
The Women Build event has two teams working each day on two separate houses, and while it is hard work, the excitement of the participants is palpable, Metcalf said.
"They are so excited to do this and get started, and the families, too," she said. "A lot of times, not always, but a lot of times we'll have the families there. Last year we had one of ... the homeowners, came up with the idea of getting this canvas and having all the workers sign it, and she was going to hang it in her home so her children could see everybody that participated in building their home. So I thought that was pretty cool."
The presenting sponsor for this year's Women Build is Bank OZK, and Lisa Austin, the division president for Arkansas and Tennessee, said she had reached out to Garland County Habitat for Humanity because the bank had been involved in a project with Habitat in Little Rock last year.
"I reached out to our local representative and said, 'Hey, we want to help. We can get more people involved. We have a lot of females in banking, and we love to give back to our community,'" she recalled. "And so they said, 'Sure, not a problem. We'd love to have you. When we get closer to time, we'll get you in connection to the right people.' So that's exactly what happened. They asked us to join, and Bank OZK said, 'Absolutely.'"
Michelle Rossow, the chief communications officer for Bank OZK, said that when Austin asked about joining the project, the bank's female leadership gave an enthusiastic yes.
"We have a great relationship with Habitat for Humanity throughout our entire southeastern footprint, and so when this opportunity came up and Lisa presented it to the organization, it was an automatic yes," she said. "It's really exciting because, for the event in October, she sent a note up to the female leadership in our organization, who all raised their hand and were like, 'Yes, sign me up.' We always want to support our communities to keep them healthy and help them grow."
Austin said there will be 10 of the bank's executives taking part in the build in October, including Rossow, the chief operating officer, the president of business banking, legal adviser, chief administrative officer and chief risk officer.
"All of the highest-level executive females that we have in the organization will be a part of this build," she said.
The bank will also have a second team of volunteers participating in the build as well, Austin said.
"We have a separate team of 10 who's going to do a different shift to help support the mission as well, so there's 20 of us who are taking time away from our clients to make sure that we are spending time out there to really help with this important piece," she said.
"We know that they do a home every single year, so we hope to encourage people -- more and more people -- to get involved. And I think we when you talk about women, look, I don't have skills in fixing a car and building a home, but this is encouraging to me that I can go out and do it and learn it, just learn the skill, just by giving back and having a skilled individual there who can help me. I have kids and grandkids now, so the skills that I learn there might help me in my own personal life, as well."
MacPhee said that each family has to work on another house "to make a difference before their lives are changed."
"Habitat, as a whole, has put this program in place so they understand that nothing's free," she said. "We're not giving anything away. We're giving you an opportunity, a hand up. So that's something I started thinking about us in the community -- Are we willing to partner? And it's a valid question for all of us to ask. Are we willing to help someone, even if it's before our needs."
Habitat for Humanity said Southern Bancorp donated the property for this year's Women Build.
Volunteers work to lift a wall as part of last year's Women Build. The event has two groups of 15 women working on two separate houses each day over a week. (Submitted photo)
Volunteers hold a wall in place during last year's Women Build. This will be the ninth year Garland County Habitat for Humanity has held the event. (Submitted photo)
Garland County Habitat for Humanity staff, Women Build Committee members and Bank OZK representatives visit a future home site prior to this year's Women Build. Bank OZK is the presenting sponsor for this year's build.
Garland County Habitat for Humanity's ninth annual Women Build event is set for Oct. 1-5, and members of the Women Build Committee, GCHFH staff and Bank OZK representatives visit one of the sites for this year's build.
Garland County Habitat for Humanity Director of Community Engagement Amanda Bass, left, Women Build Committee member Heather Busch, GCHFH Accountant Robyn Caldwell, GCHFH Public Relations Director Courtney Post, Women Build Committee member Gina Rockwell, Women Build Committee Chair and GCHFH Board member Leah MacPhee and Women Build Committee member Libby Harrington join with Bank OZK Division President and Director of Sales Effectiveness Lisa Austin, Bank OZK Senior Vice President and Regional Executive Spencer Gaither-Fisk, Bank OZK Assistant Vice President and Banking Center Manager Mickey Miller and Bank OZK Assistant Vice President and Banking Center Manager Dawnmarie Crutcher in preparation for this year's Women Build event.