| Suffolk County, NY |
| Meet Aura Levitas |
Our Women Build Partner Mrs. Aura Levitas When Habitat was planning its first Women’s Build project as part of a Blitz Build in 2004, there was never a doubt that they would find a way to get the house built… in one week! Habitat received a call from one of our Board members, Dr. Fred Preston -from Stony Brook University. A friend of his, Aura Levitas, was interested in learning more about the project. After a conversation with Kathy Schaefer in which Mrs. Levitas learned about her goal to build a home with the help of all Women volunteers, Habitat was thrilled when she decided to contribute the amount necessary to make the Women’s Build a reality. Mrs. Levitas is not only a sponsor of Habitat in Suffolk. She has sponsored two homes in Brooklyn, her hometown. Mrs. Levitas had a successful career as a dancer and met her husband in summer stock. Willard Levitas was a Television Set Designer. They made their home in Manhattan and eventually discovered the Hamptons, where Mrs. Levitas still maintains her Long Island home. The Levitas’ have supported the Southampton’ Artists Association and Cultural Center; they donated one of their homes to the Center when Mr. Levitas passed away. Today, Mrs. Levitas wants to share what she has and continue to support organizations where she feels she can make a difference. She says that Willard would be very happy! Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk is also very happy and pleased to honor Mrs. Aura Levitas as our President’s Award recipient. (In 2005) Claudia Hunt will be the recipient of our third Women Build home built in partnership with Mrs. Levitas. Thank you Mrs. Levitas for your support in our mission to not only provide decent affordable housing but to provide a place for women to come and support one another in an otherwise non-typical work environment. |