Friday, December 10, 2010

Feature: Giving and Giving Back

Habitat for Humanity to work in Manistique

By Emma Stenzel

Cardinal Staff

Students of Saint Mary’s University’s chapter of Habitat for Humanity will be working in Manistique, Mich., during the last week of Christmas recess from Jan. 9-15.

Maddie Kettner, Habitat for Humanity executive board member, said that 19 SMU students and their faculty advisor, Lance Thompson, will help remodel and build the HiawathaLand Habitat for Humanity Volunteer Center. Once completed, the center will house families who hope to volunteer in the Manistique area, said Kettner.

Kettner said that Habitat for Humanity is an organization dedicated to providing adequate and affordable housing for those who are victims of natural disaster or poverty. She is pleased that SMU students have committed themselves to work for the mission Habitat for Humanity during their Christmas break.

“It is great to get out of our normal environment to do something good for other people,” said Kettner. “We have made a commitment to Habitat for Humanity, and we need to make sure we do our best for the people in the community.”

Though the group plans to work hard during their trip, they will have some opportunities to take a break and explore the Manistique area as well, said Kettner.

Thompson believes the students will learn a lot from their experience in Habitat for Humanity, as they will not only bond with each other, but also with the people in the Manistique community.

“Habitat for Humanity is a wonderful organization, and it is one that the students can be a part of and volunteer for for the rest of their lives,” said Thompson. “Developing that desire to serve is important, and I hope that they can see that in themselves after this trip.”

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