ROCKINGHAM – Approximately 60 people assembled in 12 teams Monday night at Striker’s Bowling Alley with a common goal: to raise funding for – and awareness of – the upcoming Habitat for Humanity build in Hamlet. Dubbed a “Women Build” and the first such “build” for Richmond County, the plan is for at least 75% of the participants at the construction site to be female. A build committee, led by Christian Liles, has been meeting for several months to generate fundraising events throughout the summer leading up to the home-building start date of September 8.
Adding excitement to the night was a raffle for a grill, a 50/50 drawing, door prizes, and Godfather’s pizza.
Johnathan Blanton, Hamlet City Manager, was on a team. When asked what brought him out tonight he stated, “I feel it is important for the city manager to participate in civic functions to reflect positively on City Hall.” Johnathan Buie, Hamlet City Council member, said he was there because “First, it’s a great cause, and second, I have known organizer Christian (Liles) for years; I am here to support her, too.” Both Blanton and Buie said they had enjoyed the bowling.
Also in attendance was the future homeowner, Renika Pittman. During the last several months, she, her husband Ellis, and their son Robert have started working on their 300 hours of “sweat equity” that is required of a Habitat homeowner prior to their moving into their new home. The family has recently chosen their building site in the Briarwood subdivision in Hamlet.
General sponsors for the Women Build are Dance Sensations, EXIT Realty, Farm Bureau, HCI Fire & Water Restoration, Merle Norman, Mike Griffin, Murphy Chiropractic, One Stop Print Shop, Our Southern Roots, Realty World, and TriCity, Inc.
The next fundraiser will be the Womanless Pageant, August 18, at Liberty Place in Rockingham. Captain D’s will have a “share night” on September 6 and Christie’s Home, Garden, Gifts store in the TriCity Shopping Center will host a wine tasting on September 7.
To find out more information about how to participate in the Women Build, contact Christian Liles at (190) 206-3581 or call the Habitat ReStore at (910) 817-9526.
