For more information or to donate to Stephens’ fundraising effort, visit habitatwesthawaii.org, call 331-8010 or email vista@habitatwesthawaii.org. Checks can be made to Habitat for Humanity West Hawaii, marked for “VISTA Ironman,” and mailed to P.O. Box 4619, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740.
Stephens Media
Combining the challenge of a half-Ironman with the need for affordable housing in West Hawaii, an AmeriCorps volunteer hopes to raise $70,300 to help construct five homes in 10 days.
Erin Stephens, a Boston native and member of AmeriCorps and Volunteers in Service to America, or VISTA, is working to raise the money before the June 2 Rohto Ironman 70.3 Hawaii to help fund the September construction of Habitat for Humanity West Hawaii homes within the Villages at Lai Opua.
“I’m hoping to raise awareness and funding so we can successfully build these homes,” Stephens said about the Kealakehe-area project. “The thrill of combining something that is one of my passions (triathlons) with something that helps the community will help me reach big.”
Stephens will collect money until the start of the race in South Kohala. All money will go toward the Sept. 12-22 Blitz Build in Kona.
For more information or to donate to Stephens’ fundraising effort, visit habitatwesthawaii.org, call 331-8010 or email vista@habitatwesthawaii.org. Checks can be made to Habitat for Humanity West Hawaii, marked for “VISTA Ironman,” and mailed to P.O. Box 4619, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740.