The University chapter of Habitat for Humanity gives students a chance to help out the community as well as other needy families in the country.
Habitat for Humanity International is a non-profit housing organization designed to build affordable houses and eliminate poverty and homelessness. Since it was founded in 1976, the organization has built over 125,000 houses in 80 countries.
The cost of a habitat house ranges from $800 in developing countries to $46,600 in the United States. The group is able to provide affordable housing to low-income people because the houses are sold for no profit, with no interest charged on the mortgage. Homeowners and volunteers build the houses, and individuals, corporations, faith groups and others provide financial support.
Most houses are built in Wood County. Last semester the team worked on a project in Tiffin.
“We have a new goal of four houses a year,” said Wilfred Roudebush, adviser and president of the city Habitat for Humanity chapter. “In our 10-year history at the University there has only been a total of eight houses built.”
Much of the group’s money comes from three main fund-raisers: car bashing, trick-or-treat for change and Box City. Car bashing takes place during the football game on Parents’ Weekend. For this money-maker the group obtains a stripped-down car from a local junkyard and allows students to hit it with a sledgehammer for a small fee.
“Many students like it and find it to be a good stress reliever,” said Kevin Reisinger, president of the University chapter. This year the event brought in about $190.
Trick-or-treat for change involves members dressing up on Halloween and asking for donations rather than candy. This Halloween they raised around $300. They also use this opportunity to raise public awareness about Habitat for Humanity.
Box City is held every spring in the grassy area between the Saddlemire building and Kreischer Quadrangle. Boxes are sold to students by Habitat members. The students then spend one night in their box to experience what it is like to be homeless.
Another upcoming project for the group is a Spring Break trip to Myrtle Beach. Ten University students will join campus chapters from across the nation to build houses. The local affiliate in Myrtle Beach will house the students while they take part in the building. Students involved in the organization take pride in their work and cherish the rewarding feeling they receive from their projects, according to Reisinger.
“My favorite part of being involved with Habitat is going on a build and seeing a house take shape,” Reisinger said. “On my first build, we were framing this one house, and there were groups doing a different side of the house. As each wall was put up, it was as if everyone on the site stopped whatever they were doing to help put the wall into place.”
Any student interested in the organization may join by attending a meeting. There will be a meeting tonight in the B.A. building, room 1007 at 9:15.
