Dear Friends and Family,

I am so proud and excited!!  In a few short weeks , Saturday Sept.25th to be exact , my 16 year old daughter Carly & I will be participating as a mother/ daughter team in Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build Work Day program. Along with other Habitat volunteers, we will be helping to build a modest home for a hard-working, low-income family in our region. We're never sure until we get onsite what our building responsibilities will be, which is part of the fun..and personal challenge! In previous years I have scampered up scaffolding to do roofing, helped to dig sump pits, built a foundation of concrete blocks, put up aluminum siding, assembled and raised  the 2nd story framework of a home, and primed and painted walls. 

This will be my 5th year building and 1st year with Carly alongside me. There wasn't any bribery involved, I promise! This is a volunteer program that I am passionate about, and the skills and friendships we acquire are life changing.  To have the opportunity to share this with her, truly warms my heart.

Decent, affordable housing is scarce in Somerset and Hunterdon counties, forcing many low-income families to live in overcrowded, unsafe conditions. The Women Build program challenges women to build a better future for the children of central New Jersey by addressing the problem of substandard housing. By participating in Women Build, we will be giving other women and their families a “hand up” by helping them to build a safe place for their children to come home to.

With your help , we hope to make a significant difference in the lives of a local family. We'll do the building, but we need your financial support. Our mother/daughter team goal is $1,000.00 . The Women Build Team’s goal is $100,000. Carly and I have selected to ask you to support us in our endeavor. (No rolls of wrapping paper, or huge tins of popcorn to eat... . but ...if you want, I'll give you the address of the homes we build and you can drive by, year after year and see the happy families you've helped.... now that's what I call a "positive return on your investment"! ;-)

Thank you in advance for believing in the "paying it forward'  theory. We knew we could count on you!

With our warmest regards

Your friends,

Melissa and Carly Sitrin