Celebrity and charity often go hand in hand. You almost will never meet a celebrity who doesn't support a worthy cause, usually something close to their heart. They attend fundraising galas, contribute a pair of signed tennis shoes for a silent auction, participate in telethons, travel far and wide to bring attention to crisis all around the world, and sometimes they like to get their hands dirty—that's what I like to do!
I hardly consider myself a celebrity but for some reason an amazing organization called Hollywood for Habitat for Humanity does and asked me to host an amazing event called Power Women Power Tools. It's my second year hosting and I already can't wait for next year! Three hundred "POWER" women, including some of my favorites—Linda French, Kellyann Mengold, Erica Palm, E!'s executive producer Beth McCauley, and Rachel Herrera, as well as celebs Rosario Dawson, Stacey Keibler, and Mary Murphey—gathered early morning in Burbank, California to help build five houses for five families. It was quite the sight to see—women using power tools, hanging siding, grouting brick walk ways…literally building houses with their own two hands to help offer a better life for deserving families, all while wearing pink hard hats!
Make no mistake about it: Habitat for Humanity is not a charity, and its motto is that it's not a handout, it's a hand up. Families are not only responsible for mortgages and household bills once the house is complete; it's also about sweat equity. Families are out, rain or shine, with hammers and nails, grout, paint, four by fours—building their houses. It takes literally blood, sweat, and tears to make this happen. I know, because I watched my mom do it for over a year!
Thanks to organizations like Habitat for Humanity my mom was able to realize her dream of being a home owner and build her own house with her own two hands to provide a safe and stable place for my siblings. It's a house she still lives in today.
I encourage people to find a Habitat for Humanity organization in their communities and be apart of a build. I promise—you won't regret it!