Women are the starting line-up for the National Association of Women In Construction’s St. Louis Chapter (NAWIC) as they participate for the first time in Canstruction. The event will be held on March 8 at St. Louis Mills Shopping Center. Canstruction combines the competitive spirit of a design/build competition with a unique way to help feed hungry people.
The event coincides with NAWIC’s national “Women in Construction” Week from March 4 to 10.
For 10 years, “Women in Construction” (WIC) Week has highlighted women in the construction industry. NAWIC chapters throughout the country promote the role of women in construction through Construction Career Days, helping with Habitat for Humanity projects and other programs for adults and children.
“What better way is there to show the importance of women in our industry than to participate in an event like Canstruction,” St. Louis NAWIC Chapter President Kimberly Staats said. “We get to work with other members of the industry AND help block out hunger in our community.”
Castle Contracting and Ahern Fire Protection are two of the NAWIC team sponsors.
Canstruction is a team event bringing together members of the design and construction fields to build giant sculptures out of canned foods. Eleven other teams in addition to the St. Louis NAWIC team will participate in this year’s Canstruction competition. The projects will be on display at St. Louis Mills through March 20.
At the close of the exhibition, sculptures are “de-constructed” and the cans of food will be donated to the St. Louis Area Foodbank and the Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry. Canstruction is trademarked by the Society for Design Administration.
NAWIC’s core purpose is to enhance the success of women in the construction industry. Founded in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1955, NAWIC is an international association serving approximately 6,000 members in nearly 200 chapters in the United States and Canada. NAWIC is celebrating 51 years of service.
For more information, visit www.canstruction.org.
