This March, amid the palms and promise of West Palm Beach, a powerful coalition of women and allies will pick up hammers, raise walls, and help redefine what community investment looks like in Palm Beach County.
On March 12–13, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Palm Beach County will host Women Build 2026, its flagship fundraising and volunteer initiative. The two-day build carries particular resonance this year, launching during the organization’s 40th anniversary and underscoring four decades of work focused on stability, dignity, and opportunity through affordable homeownership.
Women Build 2026 is ambitious by design. The campaign aims to raise $750,000 and construct three new affordable homes in partnership with local families. More than 400 volunteers are expected to participate, joining forces with Habitat staff, homeowners, and community partners in a highly visible demonstration of what coordinated civic engagement can achieve.
The effort is supported through a collaboration with the Urban League of Palm Beach County, which donated the land, and the City of West Palm Beach, reinforcing a shared commitment to expanding access to attainable housing in one of South Florida’s most dynamic markets.
Leadership for the 2026 campaign reflects the depth of that commitment. The event is co-chaired by Rana Levy and Christy Maasbach, with Julie Peyton and Mary Allen Saunders serving as honorary co-chairs. A broad legacy and committee roster brings together business leaders, physicians, philanthropists, and civic advocates, many of whom have supported Women Build for years.
“Women Build is more than a volunteer opportunity, it’s a movement,” Levy and Maasbach said in a joint statement. “Together, we are building homes, confidence, and hope. We’re showing what can happen when women support one another and unite to create change in their community.”
That sense of momentum will be on full display during the two build days. Each morning begins beneath a signature pink-and-green tent, where music, refreshments, and remarks set the tone before volunteers head to their assigned worksites. From framing and painting to landscaping and finishing touches, participants work side by side with the very families whose futures they are helping to secure.
For Habitat, the model has always been about partnership, not charity. Homebuyers contribute a minimum of 300 sweat-equity hours, participate in financial literacy and home maintenance education, and ultimately purchase their homes through a 30-year, zero-interest mortgage, with monthly payments capped at 30 percent of household income. The result is not only a house, but a pathway to long-term stability.
“No construction experience is necessary, just a willingness to make a difference,” said Jennifer Thomason, President and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Palm Beach County. “Women Build is a fun and unique opportunity for volunteers to experience the power of community in action. You will play a hands-on role in strengthening neighborhoods and helping make the dream of homeownership a reality for your neighbors in need.”
Participation is designed to be accessible while maintaining meaningful impact. Individuals may join solo or as part of a corporate or social team, with a fundraising commitment of $1,250 per participant. Half-day build shifts are available on either March 12 or 13, and sponsorship opportunities begin at $2,500. All tools, supplies, and safety equipment are provided, and every dollar raised supports local families.
As Palm Beach County continues to grow and evolve, Women Build 2026 offers a reminder that economic vitality and social responsibility are not competing priorities. They are, increasingly, intertwined. Forty years into its mission, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Palm Beach County is proving that when leadership, philanthropy, and hands-on effort align, the impact is both tangible and enduring.
How to get involved: Registration, sponsorship, and donation information for Women Build 2026 is available at app.giveffect.com/campaigns/40484-women-build-2026.
