Gala raises support for Greater Lynchburg Habitat for Humanity

The Habitat for Humanity gala is an annual event that seeks to bring awareness to the building of homes for families in need in Lynchburg. The event is hosted every spring by Greater Lynchburg’s Habitat for Humanity (GLHFH).

This year’s theme for the gala was “Be the Light” and Blake Yaworski, a Liberty nursing student who has been a part of the organization for a little over a year, felt the theme was most fitting for the occasion.

“I think this was the perfect theme because ultimately, Jesus is the light that Habitat members strive to show others,” Yaworski said. “What is so neat about Habitat is that through serving, we can show others the light (that) Jesus has to offer that will hopefully impact people in the community for the rest of their lives.”

Yaworski has seen firsthand the impact that GLHFH has had on herself and the families she has been able to help. She came out to the gala proud of the service that has been accomplished through the hard work, willingness, dedication and love shown by the club and its members.

Her love for serving others has grown deeply ever since she joined.

“(GLHFH) has allowed me to see the need in Lynchburg of so many people, and it’s been a blessing to try and bless someone else’s life,” Yaworski said. “In a way, Habitat has humbled me to put others before myself by giving my time.”

According to the GLHFH website, the organization started “in the spring of 1988 (when) a group of concerned citizens met in a local church to discuss the lack of decent, affordable housing in Lynchburg.”

Yaworski talked about how Liberty’s Habitat for Humanity club started a couple of years ago with only four members and, since she joined, the club has grown to more than 50 people.

When asked about her most memorable part of serving with GLHFH, Yaworski recalls the heartfelt reactions from a family with which the team was able to build and supply a home.

“I think the most memorable moment for me during my time in Habitat has been seeing the thankfulness of the family getting the house this past semester,” Yaworski said. “Nakeesha and her family have been so grateful and excited to come to a build day, and seeing their willingness to work and thanking everyone there has been a huge blessing.”

The club has been able to raise money to build two houses (one in the spring of 2016 and one this year), and the gala is another fundraising event that raises money and awareness about Habitat for Humanity’s mission: to continue to build homes for Lynchburg families.

“The gala was such a fun night of celebration of Liberty’s club, our awesome club director, Mrs. Pettit, the Habitat crew members, and most importantly, the new owners of the latest Liberty house,” Yaworski said. “I think the people who came to (the) gala outside of Habitat really got to see what our purpose and mission of the club is.”

Though the gala has come and gone, it is not too late for students to get involved. Yaworski said being a part of the Lynchburg community is a big part of serving in GLHFH.

“Habitat for Humanity allows students to get off campus and become a part of the Lynchburg community,” Yaworski said. “It allows students to interact not just with future home owners in need, but also the Habitat crew members and construction managers.”

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