Five months from now, Habitat for Humanity of Bergen County will have one last thing to do at a home on Sand Road in Westwood, New Jersey, and that is to hoist the ribbon for the cutting.
Congressman Josh Gottheimer was invited to do a little heavy lifting Monday, but just a little, because the work was being done by the ladies.
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Dozens have been working on the home as a part of Habitat's Women Build Week.
"The power tools, I have to tell you, it really does empower a woman, it's absolutely fantastic," said Terri Capparelli, executive director for Habitat for Humanity of Bergen County. "We don't worry about hair, we're excited to be together."
One home will go to a veteran.
"Believe it or not, one-and-a-half million vets in our country spend more than 50% of what they make on housing, either for their mortgage or their rent, and that's unacceptable," Gottheimer said.
The women say it has made their sweat-filled hours that much more meaningful.
Anita DaSilva, the vice president of the Habitat for Humanity of Bergen County, said it's the camaraderie of being with other women.
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"When we do the ribbon-cutting for this house, and we give it to that veteran family, to know that I hung sheetrock in the hallway, that I helped build the kitchen, that's empowerment," DaSilva said.
Each of the women left their names in a home that will be a foundation for a family.
"Just a remembrance of what they did here, that they're actually changing someone's life forever," board president Roxanne Camejo said.
The organization is still in the selection process and looking for a veteran family that qualifies.
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By October, the house will be ready for a family to call home.
Habitat for Humanity of Bergen County says they would love to hear from anyone who knows a veteran who should call this place home.
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