If you would like to volunteer, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator at habitat@dartmouth.edu
HANOVER, NH, July 20, 2004 -- Starting this month, the Dartmouth College Chapter of Habitat for Humanity is building a home in Wilder, VT ! Habitat for Humanity is an international non-profit organization with the mission of partnering with families in need to build affordable housing. Fundraising, in-kind donations, and volunteer labor reduce the cost of the homes which are sold at cost to eligible families with a no-interest mortgage. As a collegiate chapter, Dartmouth Habitat for Humanity works with our local affiliate, Upper Valley Habitat for Humanity (the regional branch of the international organization). Students have worked for over a year in raising funds and volunteer support for the house, which they will build with the Campbell family. Creative fundraising to reach the needed $95,000 goal included a coast-to-coast bicycle trip through Bike and Build, Inc, a spring "carnival" of music, dance, food and fun called the Festival of Humanity on the Dartmouth campus, and generous support from local donors and the Dartmouth alumni class of '88. Further, this summer the Dartmouth Office of Facilities, Operations and Management will contribute invaluable expert labor to the building effort. Under the guidance of Site Supervisor Dean Kellogg, Dartmouth students spend Wednesdays 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. working on the site, located on Hollow Drive in Wilder, VT. Just up the street, Upper Valley Habitat for Humanity is also building a home. The two groups aim to move the families in by December.
The Dartmouth Chapter of Habitat for Humanity started in 1997 and has worked tirelessly in the past few years towards house sponsorship. Sponsoring and building a Habitat Home entails fundraising, organizing, and months of building - "typically college chapters don't do it all, but Dartmouth has a really motivated group of students and leaders working on this..." said Emily Meier the Tucker Foundation's Civic Intern who is currently in charge of the entire project. This build (the House of 2004) will mark the second student-sponsored house after the 2002 house in Enfield, NH. Students involved in the chapter advocate a Dartmouth Habitat-sponsored home every other year. The chapter supports other Habitat for Humanity related activities as well, including Spring Break Trips to Blitz Builds and local advocacy work.
Dartmouth students and staff are encouraged to contact Emily Meier at Dartmouth Habitat (blitz 'habitat' or call 603.646.3442) to sign up individually or with a group for sitework. Groups interested in making lunch for the Saturday work-crew should also contact Emily. Tools and instruction are provided on site and transportation is provided from the Tucker Foundation. Community members may contact Upper Valley Habitat at 802.295.1854
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