Women Build Homes, Community and Hope

Cindy is one of the most giving people you’ll ever meet. She is a retired nurse from St. Joseph hospital and the Wichita school system. She is active in PEO, Methodist Women’s Group, and the Eureka Preservation Society. She volunteers to take friends to doctors appointments in neighboring towns, runs errands, and performs chores for those who need help. She definitely goes above and beyond to support her community.

Since Sam and her family have moved into our neighborhood/cul de sac, she has brought the sense of “good neighbor” to life in my neighborhood. She is always doing something to help out her neighbors: mowing when they’re gone; bringing treats to her neighbors that she and her kids made; and being so welcoming to everyone. I was working on a large yard project that involved tons of rocks that needed to be moved. She not only offered to help me (which I kindly declined), she came over and told me she was there to help. And help she did! She hauled the rocks from the front yard to the backyard and then all I had to do was place them. She was a true life-saver that hot Spring day! Sam is wonderful in all her various life’s roles: Daughter; Sister; Wife; Mother; Aunt; and Friend. It is women like Sam who truly make a difference in your life – and in your community! Thank you for being the terrific person you are, Sam!

Nadine Stannard not only has a good sense and strong understanding of community she also is committed to “building community.” Nadine has been a very active and contributing member of the Wichita Area Builders Association since she joined in May 2001. As owner and manager of Associated Materials, a solidly run business with an excellent reputation, Nadine has served on the Association's Board of Directors; chaired and continues to serve on a number of key committees of importance to her business and herself personally. She is an advocate for self-sufficiency through helping others achieve affordable homeownership. Through her giving and involvement with organizations that share similar objectives Nadine has helped build, both literally and figuratively, a stronger community than would be the case otherwise.

Joyce is a Community force to be reckoned with! In the years since I first met Joyce on a Wichita Habitat for Humanity build, I've seen her Chair committees for Habitat while serving as an Ally for the Circles program - a program designed to help our community citizens living in less than ideal situations find a way to reach up and achieve their dreams. She believes in providing a "hand up" not a "hand out." She served on the Wichita Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors while supporting many community organizations such as the YMCA and Riverfest. She represents all that is wonderful with Wichita!

Sonja is a Home Builder. She takes in so many people and she loves them and she changes their lives just because that’s just who she is. I don’t have family close and she started welcoming me and my kids at Family Christmas, Thanksgiving. She’s even included my sister.  If my kids have sports and birthdays and things like that Sonja always shows up when I invite her. She just really cares and she shows people constantly that she cares. Recently there was a homeless man in Derby and somebody posted about it and Sonja found him and she reached out to see how she could help. I think that what Sonja does is so important in today’s society. It’s so easy to get so wrapped up in our own little world and forget there are other people who need our love and appreciation. Sonja is a huge inspiration and a big part of who I am and who my children are growing up to be!

Lorrie has been involved with Habitat for Humanity since learning about the organization from our mother, Shirley Beck. Shirley loves President Jimmy Carter, thus she loves Habitat for Humanity. Shirley passed that love of Habitat for Humanity along to Lorrie. Lorrie has built homes with the Denver and Wichita affiliates (1999 - current), internationally (7 countries), and 12 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Projects (both domestic and international). Lorrie's love of pounding nails comes in handy as she works to create safe and affordable homes for deserving families. To quote Rosalynn Carter: "Working with Habitat for Humanity is never a burden; it's always a blessing." Lorrie agrees 100 percent!

I met Lorrie about 6 years ago when I first got involved with Wichita Habitat for Humanity. She instantly became my hero. She served on the WHFH Board of Directors and also Chaired the Homeowner Services Committee. Lorrie is not only involved locally but I learned she has been on builds throughout the US an Internationally. She raises money to help fund each of those (more than 20) builds. She is dedicated to one of Habitat International's fundamental core values of Everyone deserves affordability housing. I could not be more proud to call Lorrie a true friend and a Habitat Champion. Thank you Lorrie for being a great role model for me and many other women. Please take a time to vote for my friend/hero Lorrie Beck

Iva Williams is a HOPE builder. She is constantly building PEOPLE up, cheering them on, encouraging them to consider homeownership as a means to a more stable financial future. She is a champion, especially for female heads of household, coaching, advising and working beside people until they achieve their dream. Thanks Iva, for bringing hope of a better future to so many families in Sedgwick County! Please vote for IVA!

My mom represents hope to so many people! Even after an 8 year battle with cancer, she continues to serve others by volunteering, giving back and continues to fight and be a positive light to everyone she meets.