Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 4, 1993 TAG: 9303040234
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: By CHERYL HAAS SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
SPRING BUILDING SPREE
S PRING break in Florida is an infamous party for many college students and almost a rite of passage in obtaining a bachelor's degree.Nine students from Radford University and Virginia Tech, however, are forgoing the traditional Daytona vacation to join Habitat for Humanity in building a house for a poverty-stricken family.
Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit organization that envisions the elimination of poverty housing, offers students an alternative to the typical spring break in its 1993 Collegiate Challenge.
The students will take part in the program March 7-14 on behalf of Radford and Virginia Tech chapters of Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship, a campus ministry led by students. They will work on a house in Morehead City, N.C.
Although the students don't have much experience with construction, they are donating their labor, time and money for many different reasons.
"None of us see it like we're giving up our spring break," said Amy Boles, a spokeswoman for the student group. "It's just something we need to do for one reason or another."
Suzy Shifflett, a Radford student, said: "I realized I finally wanted to do something that wasn't for myself. People aren't as lucky as I am. We don't realize how fortunate we are. I think it was time for me to help someone else other than myself."
Will Hinz, a 19-year old civil engineering major from Virginia Tech, spoke almost as a veteran. "I feel I could spend money and go to Florida and that's fine. But I could spend my time and money helping other people. I know it's a cliche, but you get more back than you give. I know from [previous volunteer] experience that it is true."
Some students also see building a house as an opportunity to learn more about themselves.
"We will be by ourselves and think about ourselves a lot. That kind of scares me," said Valerie Stedman, a Radford special education major. "I just turned 20. . . . I'm hoping I'll feel self-sufficient and independent. I hope I'll find that I'm a strong person."
Habitat for Humanity requires the students to provide their own transportation and almost all of their own meals, and to donate $160 to the nonprofit organization for supplies.
Even though the group has held raffles and is trying to get donations, money has been somewhat of a problem for some students to raise and their parents to understand.
Boles, who turned down a chance to go to Key West, Fla., to volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, said her parents are supportive, but "they don't understand why [they] have to pay for [me] to volunteer," she said, laughing. But they gave her all the money she needed, said Boles, a 20-year-old English and communications major from Radford.
The money the group raises will help reduce the students' costs and will be alloted on an as-needed basis. So far, the nine students going have raised $465.
Shifflett was excited about the experience, but was having a difficult time raising the money. Her parents are unable to help because they are putting four children through college, she said. She wasn't sure if she was going to be able to go until her sorority gave $50 and an anonymous person donated the remaining $110.
"I'm a very prideful person, so I'm surprised I'm taking it," Shifflett said. "I know this person really wanted me to go. It's incredible that someone has such a caring heart, that someone is willing to give this much up for another person."
Valerie Stedman said she was paying for her own trip, but her parents support the project.
"My parents think it will be a good experience, but maybe they're just happy I'm not going to Daytona," she said.
The group is getting positive reactions from other students, also.
"A lot of students are supporting us," Boles said. "Money is tight for a lot of students, [but] they are giving us money in the raffles. That is really great."
However, not all friends and students are as positive.
"Most of [my friends] have said, `That sounds cool but I would never pay to do it,'" Stedman said.
Although the students will be doing a lot of hard work, they will be able to enjoy the beach, too. Habitat has provided them with a six-bedroom beach house that they can take advantage of after their eight-hour work day.
Habitat for Humanity is an ecumenical Christian organization that has built more than 18,500 houses since it was founded in 1976. The future homeowner works with volunteers on his or her house and buys it at no interest and no profit to Habitat on a 15-30 year mortgage. The money from the sale is recycled to aid in future constructions.
"The week will be physically, spiritually and emotionally exhausting; but meeting the family will be neat," Boles said. "I don't even know what to picture. I just keep going, `Wow! I'm going to build a house for someone to live in forever.' "
"A house for a lot of people is a dream," Will Hinz said. "I can't even imagine what it will be like building a dream."
Those interested in making contributions can call Amy Boles at 639-1771.