GREEN COVE SPRINGS—Over 30 women. A slew of power tools. And one mission.

On Thursday, May 15, Clay County Habitat for Humanity hosted their first annual Women Build, fostering empowerment and the spirit of service.

With the goal of lending a helping hand to building two of the organization’s newest homes, the event saw a range of women from all walks of life, including both of the future homeowners themselves.

“I feel like it’s important to bring women together to show, I mean, we can do a lot of this stuff,” said Executive Director Carolina Morrow. 

Morrow said this event was especially important for representation, considering most of the organization’s homeowners are women.

To begin the day, District 5 County Commissioner Kristen Burke arrived with a speech of appreciation for the turnout.

From the early-morning hours through the mid-afternoon’s blazing heat, all the women donned pink T-shirts and hard hats while carrying hammers and drills, along with vibrant smiles and attitudes of determination. 

Margie Tucker was one of many to be found with sweat and paint-stained clothes helping to build her new home from the ground up. 

“I’ve never imagined being where I’m at right now,” Tucker said. “And then topping off this house that we’re doing. I get goosebumps every time.”

STAFF PHOTOS BY KYLA WOODARD

STAFF PHOTO BY KYLA WOODARD

Tucker said she arrived from Oklahoma to start a new life from scratch.

Dealing with a custody battle and sitting at what she called rock bottom, she said Habitat came around at just the right time.

“I’m just very blessed that I was approved for the program, and I got in when I did,” she said. “And I’m going to have a story of pictures when I’m done.”

She said she has enjoyed being a part of what she and her 18-year-old son, Cordell, will soon call their new home.

“To me if I didn’t have a hard hat, it wouldn’t feel like I deserved that,” Tucker said. “I believe in having hands-on and doing all this hard work, and [getting] to know your house so you know how to fix it.”

Morrow said the event also acted as a networking opportunity for those involved — a true community partnership.

 She said she also appreciates all the support they have gotten from the county and city as a whole.

Margie Tucker was one of many found with sweat and paint-stained clothes.

STAFF PHOTOS BY KYLA WOODARD

“They are really aware of the need in the county and in the community, and they really supported it,” she said.

With the large need for local affordable housing, Morrow said the organization has a lot more up their sleeve. 

Habitat’s next big project will be a 27-house development in Green Cove Springs behind the Habitat administration office. She said that anyone who is interested in volunteering can simply schedule a team build with the nonprofit’s Resource Development Manager Lynda Arlen at resourcedevelopment@clayhabitat.org or volunteer@clayhabitat.org.