Habitat for Humanity building homes for the holidays
By Chelsie Gastright
Thanksgiving has come and gone, and while dining over turkey many people reminisce about what they are thankful for. Things such as family, great food, and the company of others are common things. After Thanksgiving, families begin to prepare for Christmas. Kids, teenagers, and parents alike start making wish lists for a highly anticipated morning. However, there are some families where the only thing they are asking for this Christmas is a roof over their heads.
Habitat for Humanity is a community, service-based organization that helps build affordable housing for those who cannot otherwise afford a home. One home at a time, this group of individuals is helping make the Christmas wishes of those who long for a home a possibility.
Beyond the help of the community, there is a group of three hundred hard working students also giving their time and skills to help build homes once a month. The High Point University chapter of Habitat for Humanity was first founded in 1999, but was disbanded. In 2010, the chapter was brought back to help find ways to actively involve more HPU students. Since the HPU chapter has been brought back, the students and community have helped build 75 homes in the surrounding areas and the number is still growing.
The HPU chapter meets twice a month; once for a meeting to help talk about opportunities and other projects that are available, and once for their monthly build. However, just because this organization only meets twice a month does not mean that there are not plenty of opportunities to help. During the week, the organization also reaches out to the local H4H ReStore to help with any needs they may have. A ReStore location is a donation center where local businesses or even someone looking to do away with some furniture can drop off items of need to help furnish the homes that are being built. The items are also sold the public in order to build H4H funds.
In spirit of Christmas, students of the HPU chapter have created Christmas cards for each family they have helped provide a home for this past semester.
Melissa Irgens, HPU senior and president of the Habitat for Humanity chapter, has been involved with Habitat for Humanity for four years and still finds the same happiness for helping others today as she did four years ago when she started.
“I have a passion for helping people. It is very rewarding to know that by simply applying paint to a wall or nailing two boards together that I am helping someone have the ‘American Dream’ of owning a home. This home cannot only provide shelter for a family but also but a safe, comforting place for the family to come home, too.”
Knowing that you are giving back to those in need is always rewarding, but it is sometimes easy to take for granted things that most have always had. For example: a roof over one’s head, a warm bed to sleep in, and food on the table every night. However, one student understands exactly how lucky he is to be helping these people and what it must mean for them.
“Without Habitat for Humanity, many of these families might not have a nice, warm Christmas with their families,” says Kenneth Irgens, freshman. “The opportunity they receive through this organization means they can provide the home and shelter they’ve always wanted.”
Irgens also mentioned that beyond helping others, there are other benefits to being a part of Habitat for Humanity. Knowing that you are learning basic skills for projects around a home that could be yours is essential, especially in these times.
This chapter is also helping students gain valuable work in community service, and with the Christmas season, it is easy to know that what this organization does really is important.
“This organization has done and is doing an amazing job providing college students the chance to really give back to the community with our own two hands,” says senior Carli Antor.
Whether you are building a home during the summer or making a Christmas wish come true, Habitat for Humanity is always looking for students who are willing to put in some hard work to help the “American Dream” possible for those less fortunate.