On building an all-woman Habitat Sharon Resch squares off beams Saturday on top of the foundation in preparation for the all-woman home blitz which begins Saturday (photo by Tina Gohr). By Tina M. Gohr News-Chronicle Building a house in seven days is no longer uncommon for Habitat for Humanity, but never before has the Greater Green Bay chapter accomplished the task with an all-woman crew. That will change Saturday, when Habitat stages its first women-only "home blitz" on the city's West Side. More than 425 women have volunteered to take part in three 40-member shifts per day. And what should happen if a man wanders by offering his assistance? Habitat public relations director Kirsten Quam chuckles at the notion. "I don't think, with all the women there, that it would be necessary, but he wants to try, he's more than welcome," Quam said. Seriously, the only day men are scheduled to be at the site is Tuesday. It's called "pamper'' day where men (local dignitaries) serve drinks, cook for the ladies and wipe an occasional brow. More than 20 committees have been planning the project, from seeking donations to clearing the path for subconsultants and inspectors. "The steering committee is an awesome group of women who have put so much time and effort into this build so that everything runs smoothly,'' Quam said. "There will be crew leaders and house leaders at every shift to make sure everything is correctly done,'' she said. "Most of the women are experienced builders.'' But there are other jobs that are less demanding: "I have one woman who has tendinitis who will be helping with cooking and running.'' The most difficult task in the build so far has been the time frame. "Our first meeting was mid-June. There was a lot to do, and we only had a short time to do it in,'' Quam said. "But the committees worked well together and talked to each other often.'' This is what makes this Habitat for Humanity house different: "The number of people involved. There are twice as many volunteers. I still can't get over the amount of women who have volunteered. There is also more business and community involvement," said Quam, who also helped in the group's last build at 1304 Harvey St., which held its dedication just three weeks ago. The blitz home is located at 230 12th Ave. (corner of 12th and School Place). It will be a one-and-a-half-story home with a 12-degree pitched roof. The garage has been built and the foundation poured in preparation for the blitz. Its occupancy hasn't been determined, as families are still in the application process. The family is also required to contribute 500 hours of their own sweat in the construction or in upcoming builds. Building materials for the house are donated or supplied at reduced rates. Habitat for Humanity provides the no-interest mortgage for the family. Labor, of course, is donated. The organization's mission is to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness in the community with the help of three or four home constructions per year. FYI The Greater Green Bay Habitat for Humanity seeks donations and volunteers as well as monetary support for any of his home builds (another begins in August). Call 339-6350. www.greenbayhabitat.org