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Volunteer Spotlight: Kristen gives back to her community at Women Build

Apr 17, 2019

Woman smiling and holding caulking next to siding and eaves of house

As 2019 began, Kristen Gunderson asked herself an important question: What was she going to do in this new year?

The sentiment had been two years in the making as Gunderson endeavored to live more intentionally. She wanted to add value to her life with meaningful action.

“I knew what I had to offer was my time,” Gunderson said.

So, Gunderson joined Habitat for Humanity Greater Orlando & Osceola County’s March Women Build. The annual event brings hundreds of women together to fundraise for and build affordable housing – and is taking place again in May. 

Group of women wearing hard hats and carrying trusses
Group of women holding wooden beams to raise trusses
Two women wearing hard hats and raising wooden beam below trusses
Three women smiling in front of house siding and holding paintbrushes and buckets

Gunderson, who enjoys home construction and improvement, had wanted to work with Habitat for Humanity Greater Orlando & Osceola County for some time. She liked the organization’s work of providing affordable housing for a variety of people, including families and single mothers.

Typically, Women Build participants join a team and together raise money for Habitat Orlando & Osceola. Thanks to help from friends and family, Gunderson soon raised more than $1,000 on her own.

Women Build also offered the opportunity to meet women outside of her own industry. As she helped caulk the home, Texas native Gunderson offered advice to a fellow transplant to Central Florida and met a new friend interested in joining her on another build day.

“It was fun to see people networking and meeting people,” Gunderson said.

A few ladies were curious about Gunderson’s solo participation. Gunderson hoped she showed them that you can volunteer on your own – and for fun.

For Gunderson, it was a chance to be a “part of the process” of creating affordable housing.

“That’s why I want to use my time in a more intentional way – by giving back,” she said.

Women Build is taking place on two more days – May 10 and 11. Register now at HabitatOrlandoOsceola.org/Women-Build-2019. Every donation, every dollar makes a difference by helping Habitat Orlando & Osceola provide affordable housing to hardworking homeowners. Thank you for supporting our work in Central Florida to build homes, revitalize neighborhoods and strengthen communities.

Women Build May 2019

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