CHRISTIANSBURG — The New River Valley Home Builders Association’s Women in Building Committee recently held the second annual “Build Her Dreams Bed Build,” an impactful community service event on Saturday, Sept. 27 to celebrate Professional Women in Building Week and National Workforce Development Month. The event combined career awareness and community service, offering girls in the NRV community a unique opportunity to learn about construction careers while making a tangible difference.
The “Build Her Dreams Bed Build” event, in partnership with Sleep in Heavenly Peace – NRV and supported by local groups such as the Blacksburg High School Lacrosse Team, DanceTech, VA Techniques, and more, exemplified the power of community and the importance of introducing young girls to the construction industry. With the help of over 125 volunteers and sponsors, 40 beds were built and donated to children in need. More than 80 girls gained hands-on experience using power tools, guided by women from the construction industry who shared their expertise and inspired the girls with their career stories. This collective effort not only provided essential resources to those in need but also empowered the next generation of women in the home building industry, highlighting the vital role of community engagement in fostering future talent in the construction industry.
“We were delighted to have a chance to partner with SHP for our second annual Build Her Dreams event” said Gretchen Merix, Civil Engineer with Balzer & Associates, a Westwood Company, and chairperson of the NRVHBA Women in Building Committee. “It’s exciting to see so many girls with a desire to give back to their community and an interest in learning about construction. It’s a great opportunity to show the next generation what women can accomplish when we all work together.”
Support for the event came from the National Housing Endowment, the Home Builders Association of Virginia Education Foundation, Sleep in Heavenly Peace – New River Valley, and many local businesses.
NRVHBA
