A working ‘vacation’: Habitat lends a hand
Roxie Moen, a student involved in the NDSU chapter of Habitat for Humanity, said she would rather spend time on others than on herself over break.
As spring break approaches, students have the choice to sit on their butts or do something more productive.
NDSU Habitat for Humanity will continue its tradition this year during spring break vacation by “vacationing” in Florida during a service project oriented to helping others build homes.
Moen, an interior design junior, is a first-year member of Habitat at NDSU. As a youth, she participated in Habitat in her hometown. When learning about the trip to Florida, she decided to volunteer her time to help build homes.
“ We chose to do something, instead of just sitting around all week,” Moen said.
The NDSU campus chapter of Habitat has participated in the alternative spring break for over 10 years, Jennifer Claus, co-leader of the chapter, said.
The NDSU chapter works with the Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity, along with the Concordia College and MSUM chapters, Claus said.
“ It’s (Habitat) a nonprofit organization. We focus on a lot of fundraising to bring about building materials to build houses,” Claus said. “All the building materials are pretty much donated and the time is volunteering.”
Heading south
Each year, two groups travel out of state for a weeklong service by volunteering their time for Habitat affiliates. During the school year in Fargo, there aren’t as many building opportunities for students, Claus said.
Students will travel to Sumter, S.C., or Orange Park, Fla., during spring break. They will help build new homes during the days and are allowed leisure time for vacation at night.
Kaylie Ness, a business administration freshman and first-year member of Habitat, became more involved in the organization after the 2005 hurricane season in the South.
“ I’ve always been interested in Habitat for Humanity because of my church,” Ness said. “Volunteering is just a good way to give back to the community.”
Ness volunteered with her church, Hope Lutheran, to build a home in Fargo last summer. Ness is traveling with nine other students to South Carolina over spring break and is positive she will continue the tradition next year.
Claus has traveled on the past two spring breaks, but she is sitting out this year. She has informed first-year students about the activities during the week.
“ Usually they work 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and there are various projects,” Claus said. “I’ve dug foundation for houses, worked on roofs, put up the walls and I’ve actually laid out sidewalks. It just depends on what they need us for.”
NDSU students have traveled to New York, California and Louisiana during Claus’ years with Habitat.
Cheap, yet rewarding
Susan Gaddie, an interior design senior and a three-year member of Habitat, has participated for two years in the Habitat spring break project.
Since she is one of the senior members of the organization, Gaddie decided to be a team leader for the Florida group.
The project has been a satisfying experience for her, she said.
“ We get a chance to make a difference in other people’s lives,” she said. “Most people want to go to a nice, sunny place, and we do that as well. It’s so much cheaper and more rewarding.”
In past trips, students have worked on building more than one house during the week.
Usually, a few houses are built concurrently in the same area. A sizeable amount of volunteers arrive from various colleges across the country, allowing for work on a new project each day, Claus said.
Group members have to pay travel expenses for the trip and a few meals during the week.
The total amount spent during the entire trip for a student is less than or equal to $500, Claus said.
Many students try to take part in fundraisers to pay for the expenses.
Students in the Florida group will stay at a Habitat home provided by the Orange Park affiliate of Habitat. Students often spend the week in local church or a YMCA.
The Fargo-Moorhead area offers a rare glimpse of chance to build for those involved in Habitat.
Since the weather is often on the colder end of the spectrum, students decide to take part in the spring break alternative.
“ A lot of people go because it’s a building opportunity … they want to help out and be involved in Habitat,” Claus said. “Usually, you come back (from spring break) and you want to be more involved in Habitat.”