Instead of partying in
Cancun, the Bucks Habitat for
Humanity group is headed to
Cleveland, Ohio during this
year’s spring break.
“This means that our students
give up the traditional
spring break and travel outside
our area to assist Habitat
to build or rehabilitate housing
in another area,” said
Sandra McLaughlin, administrative
support assistant at
Bucks. The objective of the
group is to build houses for
qualified families that are in
need of low-income housing.
The group is currently
fundraising for the trip. “We
fundraise year-round to be
able to pay for our transportation
and food for the
week,” said President Leah
Brown, a 22-year-old nursing
major from Ottsville. “We
fundraise a lot but we also do
fun activities for the campus
such as a soccer tournament,
a hot dog eating contest and
bingo.”
Last year the group went to
Valdosta, Ga., for an “alternative
spring break challenge.”
Members who went on the
trip last year were able to
meet the families who would
be purchasing the newlybuilt
homes. On the trip they
were able to hear the families’
stories and received thanks
for their help. The group also
enjoyed dinner at a church
every night where they spent
time with other youth
groups.
Not only is helping needy
families morally uplifting,
but group members can
include their participation in
the group on transfer applications.
Another benefit is that
through their trips, Habitat
volunteers meet builders who
are employed full-time by
Habitat for Humanity. “They
show us what needs to be
done. If you have never been
introduced to construction
before, they can teach you so
much,” Brown said.
Now in their seventh year,
there are currently eight-to-10
members of the Bucks group
and two faculty advisers.
“The only requirement to
join is a commitment to
Habitat’s mission to provide
affordable housing,” said
McLaughlin. “The purpose of
the group is to support the
local Habitat affiliate to build
clean, affordable housing for
lower income families that
are eligible for the program.”
Brown is now in her second
year with the group. “I started
working with Habitat last
year when a friend in a class
told me about it,” said Brown.
“Group members not only are
doing a great thing for the
community, but you can
make a lot of new friends and
have fun as well!”
The group meets every
Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. at
Upper Bucks. If students
would like to join the group
they can contact McLaughlin
at (215)-258-7751 or e-mail
[email protected]