Founded in 1976 as a Christian organization, Habitat for Humanity has helped more than 62 million people in countries around the world gain access to decent housing by building modest-sized and affordable homes alongside the families who will live in them. Habitat for Humanity Williamson-Maury has been serving our area for over thirty years, and recently created a pathway to homeownership for a local family by offering them the opportunity to purchase a home with an affordable mortgage. City Lifestyle was privileged to speak with Bree DeMoss, the marketing and events manager for Habitat for Humanity Williamson-Maury, to learn more about their mission and their 16th annual Hammers and High Heels celebration.
“Hammers and High Heels is our signature fundraiser,” Bree says. “It’s tied to our Women Build program, where we really empower women volunteers to come out and help build a single mother’s home. All of the money raised goes toward purchasing building supplies and covering construction costs. This event has really grown and taken off, especially over the past couple of years.” This year’s celebration achieved a record-setting fundraising amount. “We just crossed the $200,000 mark, and that was a huge milestone for our organization. It was just truly elevated, and we hit a lot of our goals. We were very excited.”
Bree has been with Habitat for Humanity since 2021, and she’s also a past Habitat volunteer. “I started getting involved in college. I’m originally from Pittsburgh, and I came down south and volunteered for two spring break trips. I fell in love with the mission, and as soon as I saw a job opening at this affiliate, I jumped in. I absolutely love it.”
When asked what compels people to become involved with Habitat, Bree says, “It’s definitely the stories of the people we’re building the homes for. At our events, we share videos about where those people have been, what led them to Habitat, and some of the struggles that they've had. Home is something that resonates with people. It’s a necessity. It’s a basic human need. You want a safe place to come home to. The people who come to us don’t have that, and it makes life really difficult, especially with the rising cost of housing. Something so basic can eat up so much of a family’s monthly budget – they might have to choose between paying rent or putting food on the table for their kids. Housing touches so many issues that people care about. It contributes to health and safety, to child well-being, and to helping kids do better in school.”
Alarriona S. and her daughter are the beneficiaries of this year’s event, and she shared her appreciation for Habitat for Humanity in a video. “I'm so thankful and grateful for such an incredible opportunity. Not just about getting a new home, but knowing that there are people out there who are so supportive of my journey, I appreciate everybody,” says Alarriona. “I honestly don’t know what I’d be doing without this experience. I want to say thank you to everyone who has been a part, and will be a part of our journey. Thank you for your time, your effort, and your donations. I’m just glad that there are so many kind and selfless people out there rooting for my personal success.”
The theme of this year’s Hammers and High Heels event was Seasons of Hope, meant to emphasize how the generosity of volunteers and donors will reach beyond the present day and touch generations. “It’s not just a one-time transaction. This house will be with this family for decades, and that impact is going to be felt for years to come,” Bree says. “It is a lifetime legacy, and it’s unique to Habitat.”
Learn more about Habitat for Humanity Williamson-Maury on their website.
hfhwm.org
Article by Myra Simmons McEntire
Photography by Idyllic Creative Team
Originally published in Brentwood Lifestyle