The
Truman meaning of coming home
Whitney Wallace, posted Oct. 10, 2006
With
the constant hammering of nails and the squealing of a power
saw, it’s hard to miss the Habitat for Humanity project
going on outside the Newman Center on Maryland Avenue. Jim
Buell, sophomore and president of the Mizzou Chapter of Habitat
for Humanity, invites students to get involved in this worthwhile
Homecoming activity. The project started on Monday, Oct. 2
and will go until Thursday, Oct. 19. Every night from 4 to
8 p.m. students gather to help with the project. The students
will construct the framework at the site and then the materials
will be loaded up and transferred to the building lot for
final construction.
According
to Buell, the project is ahead of schedule. He estimates the
framework will be complete sometime next week. However, they’re
still asking for volunteers until the Oct. 19 deadline, because
after the frames are finished, the group will construct a
playhouse-type shed. This extra project will then be raffled
off during House Dec Night on Friday, Oct. 20. The proceeds
from the raffle will go toward the costs of the house construction.
Whitney
Sevy, a sophomore business major, is a new member in Mizzou’s
Habitat Chapter. “I like volunteering and I really wanted
to get involved last year but I didn’t know how,”
she said. Luckily she had the opportunity to join the organization
this fall after learning more about them while attending the
activities mart on Lowry Mall. This project is her first build
and the diverse crowd impressed her. “It’s getting
the whole Greek community involved,” she said. Sevy
plans to return to the build and encourages others to get
involved whether you have experience or not. “I’m
not too great with a hammer,” she said. “I smashed
my thumb.”
Participants
don’t have to be skilled or experienced when it comes
to carpentry. In fact, Bob Shannon is the licensed carpenter
hired by Habitat for Humanity to help volunteers. At the beginning
of each shift, Shannon divides students and assigns duties.
Throughout the event, he teaches students how to use the equipment
and complete their tasks.
Whether
you’re an experienced carpenter or this is your first
opportunity, Homecoming is the perfect time to get involved
in this tradition. According to Buell, this is the first time
MU has organized a Homecoming build since around 1997. He
explained the project is so big that it was hard to organize,
but this year they wanted to start it up again. “We’re
bringing it back and we’re trying to start the tradition,”
he said. He connected the importance of a Homecoming Habitat
for Humanity project. “This is a way to bring a real
family into a real home,” he said. “It’s
the Truman meaning of coming home.”
If
you’re interested in signing up for a shift visit or
for further information, check out the Mizzou
Habitat for Humanity Web site. The chapter will be hosting
another build on Saturday, Nov. 4 for anyone interested in
getting involved.
