College students help build Habitat homes in Mullins

Several Hamilton College students traveled from their campus in Clinton, N.Y., and volunteered during their spring break from studies to help build a home on O’Neil Street in Mullins.
The group volunteered with Habitat for Humanity in Marion, the local arm of the international nonprofit Christian housing ministry that builds homes for families in need.

According to a press release, the Hamilton College students are part of the school’s 16th annual Alternative Spring Break, an annual volunteer venture that consists of nine different community service trips to nonprofit organizations in the southern region.
Site manager Maxie Hardee said the five-week collegiate challenge brings in students from all over the country.

“They stay a week at a time and we’ve had them come from as far away as Boston College on to Louisville,” Hardee said. Students have come from the University of Kentucky and from Weslyan University in recent weeks.

The weather held up for the Hamilton College crew until rain fell on Thursday, but the students continued to work. Seemingly enjoying their trip with everyone mentioning that they’ve become fans of sweet ice tea.
Other Hamilton students will be traveling to Lafayette, La., Golden Pond, Ky., Wilmington, N.C., Winston-Salem, N.C., Cherrylog, Ga., Biloxi, Miss., and Washington, D.C., for volunteer work.

The students are housed in churches, camps and refugee centers during their ASB trip. Gordon Harper, Marion County director Habitat for Humanity said any donations to the organization would be greatly appreciated.

An orientation for those interested in owning a Habitat home is conducted once a month. Donations and volunteers are always needed, Harper said. Check with him about the next orientation for potential homeowners.
Since its inception in Marion County in 1994, the all-volunteer venture has completed 29 homes.
Office hours, in the Marion City Hall building on Main Street, are Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Internationally, anyone can participate in Habitat for Humanity by calling 1-800-HABITAT.
Locally, anyone interested in the program can call (843) 423-HOME.

To volunteer time, money or materials,
Call Gordon Harper, Director, Marion County Habitat for Humanity
(843) 423-4663

Hamilton College students Hizza Amasuka, Julie Meurer, Megan Cairns, Sara Harding, Lindsey Look, Ashlyn Razzo, Katrina Rebeler, Zach Paetzell, Gen Flanders, and Nick Richards spent their time during spring break away from the New York campus, helping to build homes for families in need.