University of South Carolina Libraries
1 Habitat for Humanity returns to build again By KRISTI LAUBE THE GAMECOCK USC’s Habitat for Humanity will build a house after a three-year hiatus. The Christian construction group built its last house in 2001 and has been working since then to raise the $50,000 . to build another one. The group will * finally get that chance on Greene Street starting Nov. 8, the start of Habitat for Humanity week that runs through Nov. 12. Habitat for Humanity is a non profit, volunteer-driven organization that works to provide low-income families with inexpensive housing. USC’s chapter organization works with Central Habitat for Humanity in ( Columbia to provide houses for families below the poverty level. During Habitat for Humanity week, members of the USC organization and any students who want to volunteer will build the house on Greene Street in front of the Russell House. Students can sign up to work on the house for $1 at a table that will be in front of the Russell House throughout the week. “It’s going to be built right here (on campus) so everyone can watch the house’s progress, or help out in between j| classes,” said Jennifer Price, who heads publicity for the USC chapter. “You don’t have to be a pan of our organization to help out.” USC Habitat for Humanity members have been raising money for three years to build this house, but it’s not a hand out. “We don’t just give them a house for free,” Price said. The organization requires the recipients of the house to put in 300 “sweat equity” hours, where they work alongside the students and builders to construct their home. Families who receive a Habitat for Humanity home are also expected to make mongage payments, though at a reduced amount, and maintain the home. “It is a substantially cheaper way to * purchase a home,” Price said. Habitat for Humanity relies on donations and fund-raisers, since it is a nonprofit organization. “A lot of what we do all year long is raise money for this house, but our big, big fund-raiser this year is a benefit concert,” Price said. The concert will be at 9 p.m. on Friday at Headliners. Local bands, including The Films and Kilcoy, will perform. The money will be used to construct the home. Being a Habitat for Humanity member involves mainly publicity, fund raising and a desire to help out people who are not as fortunate. “The basic point of Habitat is giving v "T zz WM'x. people who wouldn’t otherwise have the chance; to give them the opportunity to basically live the American dream,” Price said. For more information about Habitat for Humanity’s events or membership, e mail habitat@gwm.sc.edu, or attend a weekly meeting Monday at 7 p.m. in the Russell House in room 205. Comments on this story? E-mail gamecocknews@gwm.sc. edit r ILt rrlU I U/ I rlt uAM tLULfS Habitat for Humanity project on Greene Street during spring 2002. ■ RHA Continued from page 1 result of misunderstandings. “We found in some instances, that reports of mold were dirt from filters that needed to be replaced ... and garbage and food products being left out can be the cause in some cases of * insect infestation.” He said response times from maintenance crews were generally slower because of the smaller staff, and that calls had to be directed through a pager system. He also stressed that zone managers, trade supervisors and trade directors were in place and making spot checks to assure that problems really were being fixed. Sherry urged senators to tell their residents to report all problems to the maintenance hot line, 777-FIXX. “If we don’t know about it, we can’t fix it. Our goal is the same as yours, to promote a safe and clean environment for the residents,” Sherry said. The Senate also approved $992 in funding for the World AIDS Day Campaign. The money was requested at last week’s meeting by Adele Markowitz, a program director with the office of Sexual Health and Violence Prevention, and is actually more than was asked for. The money will go to provide supplies for the event, as well as sponsor two newspaper ads about the event. RHA Senate will not hold a meeting next week because of the presidential election, but they will hold an election night event, scheduled in the Calcott auditorium. Plans are for students to be able to follow election coverage on a news network, as well as participate in games related to the election. Comments on this story? E-mail gamecocknercMgnm.se. edit agbalt Clotha^ 50 hot lhay had to coma if om... I '3ch SAenweut LACOSTE D&G D00.03M*A DENIM DIVISION 4 1 Thurs. Oct 28 8pm The Controversy America Russell House Ballroom with Elizabeth Birch, > Director of the Human Rights Campaign & * Robert Knight, Director of the Culture and Family Institute For more information or special assistance call 777-7130 or visit cp.sc.edu Event subject to change. Paid by student activity fees