PETERBOROUGH, ON (September 29, 2026) — More than 60 women and men came together last week for Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region (Habitat PKR)’s Women Build ’26, raising $15,250 to help build three affordable homes for local families in Norwood. Returning as Presenting Sponsor for a second year, D.M. Wills Associates brought two teams of employees to the build site, joining corporate teams, community members and Habitat volunteers for four days of hands-on construction and fundraising. 

Teams from Peterborough County, Leon’s Peterborough, ANDRITZ Hydro and Tom Reburn Realtor also took part throughout the week, with community members joining the build through Community Build Day. Whether they were picking up a hammer for the first time, helping raise walls or lending a hand wherever it was needed, everyone had a role to play. 

Speaking at the Women Build Cocktail Celebration on September 25, Habitat PKR CEO Susan Zambonin thanked everyone who helped make the week possible, with a special thank you to D.M. Wills Associates for its continued support of Women Build. 

“We had a really great week in Norwood. People showed up with their teams, their friends and their coworkers, and they were ready to get to work. They picked up tools, learned new skills, asked questions, raised walls and helped move these three homes forward. 

“I want to give a very special thank you to D.M. Wills, our Presenting Sponsor. This is your second year supporting Women Build, and what stands out to me is that you don’t just write a cheque and walk away. You bring your people, you show up and you get involved. That matters. 

“And that same spirit was seen all week long. Thank you to every business, team, volunteer and community member who gave their time, raised money, brought food, provided drinks or found another way to help. It really does take a community to build a home, and this week was a great example of what that looks like. The $15,250 raised will help us continue building these three homes and bring three local families closer to affordable homeownership.” 

The three homes under construction in Norwood will provide affordable homeownership for three local families: a three-generation family of women, a single mother raising two teenagers and a young family with two small children living on a single income.  

Women Build gives participants the opportunity to experience construction firsthand, with no previous building experience required. Throughout the week, participants worked alongside Habitat staff and volunteers, using tools, learning construction skills and getting a closer look at what goes into building a Habitat home. 

D.M. Wills Associates has supported Women Build for two consecutive years as Presenting Sponsor. The company brought two teams to the build site this year, giving employees the opportunity to take part in the construction while supporting Habitat’s work in the community. 

“At Wills we are proud to support the communities where we live and work, this partnership gave our employees the opportunity to be part of something tangible and lasting. In 2025, we were honoured to serve as Presenting Sponsor. Returning in that role this year was an easy decision because we believe in what Women Build makes possible: bringing people together to create stronger futures for families and communities.

Women Build is about more than building homes. It’s about creating opportunities for women to step into new spaces, learn new skills, and discover what they’re capable of when they come together with a shared purpose. I believe women belong wherever there is an opportunity to build, lead, and create change, and this initiative created exactly that kind of environment,” said Calli McEachen, Vice President, People and Culture, D.M. Wills Associates.

And, of course, you can’t build a strong community on an empty stomach. Central Smith, Tim Hortons, Coca-Cola Canada, CIBC Pyle Wealth Advisory, Papa’s Pizzaland Norwood, Jersey Mike’s Subs, M & J Plumbing, That’s A Wrap Catering, Crumbl Cookie and Papa’s Burgerland Co. all helped keep participants fuelled throughout the week with breakfast, lunch, treats and drinks. 

The week wrapped up with the Women Build Cocktail Celebration at U4 Rooftop Event Space at Euphoria Wellness Spa on September 25, bringing participants, sponsors and community supporters together to celebrate what had been accomplished on the build site. 

The $15,250 raised through Women Build ’26 will go toward construction of the three Norwood homes. Once complete, the homes will provide three local families with the opportunity to build strength, stability and self-reliance through affordable homeownership.