Photos courtesy of Aspire Marketing Agency
The New River Valley Home Builders Association’s Women in Building Committee proudly launched an impactful community service event Saturday, Sept. 14, “Build Her Dreams Bed Build,” to celebrate Professional Women in Building Week.
This 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, local Girl Scout troops, 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, over 40 beds were built and donated to children in need. More than 70 girls from local organizations 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.
“It was a successful event, and we were really happy with the turnout,” said Gretchen Merix, Civil Engineer with Balzer & Associates and member of the NRVHBA Women in Building Committee. “It was rewarding to see so many young girls excited to learn about tools and construction, all while helping other children within the community. It was also a great opportunity for the adults to make new connections with other women in the building industry.”
Support for this 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.
New River Valley Home Builders Association
