SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - Students, faculty and staff at Wittenberg University will be building more than relationships and college resumés this academic year. On Saturday, Aug. 30, they began pooling their resources to build the Perdue family of Springfield a home at 1107 Perrin Ave. The Wittenberg Chapter of Habitat for Humanity is working in tandem with the Clark County Community Habitat for Humanity, but the home will be completely funded and constructed by Wittenberg volunteers.
"We expect an average of 20 students and other Wittenberg volunteers at the 'Witt Build' construction site from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Saturday throughout the school year, with the exception of when we have holiday breaks, until the home is completed," said Scott Rosenberg, assistant professor of history and Wittenberg Habitat for Humanity chapter adviser. "Everyone is genuinely excited about giving back to the community in such a tangible way, and it will be nice to hand over the keys to the house to the deserving family."
Rosenberg explained that this project has been in the planning stages for two years, with fund-raising efforts continuing to fulfill the dollars needed to build the home. Students can still participate and he encourages attendance at any weekly Wittenberg chapter meeting held at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday evenings in room 300 Krieg Hall. Students who are registered for Community Service 100 can make participation in 'Witt Build' count toward their community service requirement.
"Our biggest fund-raiser has been and continues to be serving concessions at all the home football games, so everyone who would like to help can simply buy another burger, drink or snack to help us reach our goal and make this family a home," Rosenberg said.
This is the second time a home has been built by members of the Wittenberg community. The first one was constructed during the 1999-2000 school year at 224 E. Third St.
"We are very proud of the Wittenberg chapter's efforts to raise money to go to Lesotho, Africa, this past summer to help build homes with our partner affiliate there," said Wayne Roberts, executive director, Clark County Community Habitat for Humanity. "Then to have them return to Springfield where they are funding and building another home in the community where they attend school is the type of community action that Habitat for Humanity fosters. The 'theology of the hammer' transends cultural, racial and economic barriers."
Since 1990, Clark County Community Habitat for Humanity has completed 25 homes in Springfield, housing more than 100 people. To learn more about Habitat for Humanity, call the local affiliate at (937) 325-2514.
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