Our “hard hats” go off to Habitat for Humanity of Walton County for raising over $30,000 at their 5th Annual Hard Hats & High Heels event on February 10th at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa. This esteemed Walton County organization has much to celebrate, as every penny raised will go to build a home for a single, working mother in Walton County this year.

“This event is what it’s all about for our organization, assisting families in our community to build safe and affordable places to call home,” says Teresa Jones, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Walton County.

Over 200 guests from various industries in our community attended the luncheon and had the chance to bid on silent auction items, play games, and then heard from keynote speaker, Nancy Francis who spoke about a Mindset of Empowerment. Change your mindset, change your future.

Local Habitat for Humanity volunteer Elaine Ashman of the Merchants of Rosemary Beach, was honored with the 2023 Veronica Macias Power Woman of the Year award. Ashman is described by her peers as a familiar face on the Women Build job site. She works tirelessly for Habitat for Humanity, donating her time, knowledge, and funds to advance Habitat for Humanity’s mission and encourages others to join her in making Walton County Habitat a thriving charitable organization. “I am humbled to receive this award,” said Ashman. “Helping women in our community by volunteering my time with Habitat for Humanity is a passion, and one I am grateful to share with so many others in the community, who I get to work alongside in building a beautiful place for these deserving women.”

The award was presented by the Women Build Presenting and Emerald Sponsor, Vacasa. “As we all know, our work to build strong foundations in our communities is never done, and we look forward to working with ‘Habitat’ to provide housing to those who need it most,” said Vacasa’s GM Krysta Helms.

Another award presented during the event was the Glamour to the Hammer Award. This award recognizes an outstanding Habitat volunteer who has been instrumental to the organization’s success and supportive of the women in the community through the organization. This year’s Glamour to the Hammer award was presented to Beth Hyman. Beth is a frequent face at fundraising events and supervises workday at the job-sites for Habitat for Humanity.

The silent auction, featuring furniture pieces donated to the ReStore, Habitat’s Retail and Donation Center, were then up-cycled by local creatives,  Lee Hensley of Lola’s on 30A, Jennifer Jones of Compass Builders of Florida and Laura McKee, Erika Peveto and Lindsay Wilson of L. Hamilton & Co.

To learn more about the Women Build Initiative or how you can get involved, contact Katie at volunteer@waltoncountyhabitat.org and follow them on social media.

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