The College's chapter of Habitat for Humanity sponsored a Build-a-thon last week to support its organization. The organization built an eight foot by eight foot shed that played an essential role in the fundraiser.
From Wednesday through Friday, students and campus organizations could buy $2 cedar shingles and personalize them with their names before the group added the pieces to the shed which was located outside between Green Hall and the student center.
For every $2 raised, $1 went to the East Trenton Habit for Humanity organization and the other dollar went to the chapter's fund. The organization had hoped to cover the entire shed.
Heath Lumber, Home Depot of Olden Ave. in Ewing, along with East Trenton Habitat for Humanity, donated materials for the project - including the cedar shingles, nails, two by fours and plywood.
Habitat for Humanity's goal was to raise awareness on homelessness and to raise enough money to reach the $5,000 mark by next year. Members hope to eventually use this money in order to buy and build their own house.
At the end of the week, Habitat took the walls of the shed apart and stored them at a member's home. The shed will be restored for next year's Community Fest in October.
Through labor and donations of money and materials, Habitat for Humanity builds or rebuilds homes. The association houses partner families, and these families are financed with affordable, no interest loans. In turn, the group uses the homeowners' monthly mortgage payments to build more houses.
The organization works with East Trenton Habitat for Humanity on different project sites.
"My experiences have been great," Giannella said. "Site visits have been great. The people are friendly and you feel good at the end of the day."
President Sandra Kim, sophomore chemistry major, wanted to get involved in an organization and felt Habitat for Humanity was the choice for her.
"I wanted to help out on campus and make people more aware of homelessness," she said.
Treasurer Laura Giannella, freshman English education major, looked forward to getting involved with the organization.
"I was always interested in Habitat for Humanity since high school and wanted to give back to the community," she said. "When I came to the College I had an opportunity and jumped on it."
This summer the group will be busy as they anticipate going to Chesapeake, Md. to work on a site for a week. They will be building a house at the site and will be staying in a church for the duration of the trip, which is anticipated to be from May 11 - 16.
