Stuart, FL – Students from across the country will travel to Martin County for their spring break as part of Habitat for Humanity’s “Collegiate Challenge.”

 

Beginning March 2, 2008, students from Virginia Tech in Virginia and Regis University in Colorado will help build a Habitat for Humanity house in Indiantown. The Virginia Tech Navigators volunteered last year and this is the first year for Regis University.

 

Palm City Presbyterian and New Hope Fellowship will house the students and other churches in Martin County will provide lunch and dinner.

 

“While many of their peers are relaxing on a beach somewhere, these students are putting in hundreds of hours of hard work for Habitat’s Collegiate Challenge. By the end of the week, not only have the students learned how to build a house, they’ve also seen how their actions can help improve people’s lives by providing safe, decent affordable shelter through a Habitat for Humanity home,” says Ebonie Reid, Project Coordinator.

 

This spring break, 12,000 students have signed up to participate in Habitat’s Collegiate Challenge across the country. The program offers high school and college student’s year-round opportunities to use their vacations to serve a community by volunteering to build homes. Students from the United States and Canada will travel to 210 locations in the United States.

 

“It is amazing what can happen in just one week. Students are able to help a family get closer to realizing the dream of homeownership while also experiencing the excitement of traveling to a new place, learning new skills and spending time with friends,” said Alynn Woodson, Associate Director of Youth Programs for Habitat for Humanity International. “Few programs give participants the chance to make such a tangible, meaningful difference in the lives of others like Collegiate Challenge does.”

 

Throughout its 19-year history, Collegiate Challenge has sent more than 155,000 students to build Habitat houses. During this time, students have raised more than $14.6 million through the program. This year, Collegiate Challenge students will contribute $1.5 million to help build houses.

 

Habitat for Humanity of Martin County is a non-profit, volunteer-driven organization that extends the opportunity to purchase simple, decent, affordable homes to local families who would not otherwise have that chance. Three key resources are necessary in order to make homeownership a reality for Habitat partner families: funds, volunteers and advocacy.

 

Contact:
Ebonie Reid
Habitat for Humanity of Martin County

772-223-9940

ereid@habitatmartin.org