Alison Pettit, founder and faculty advisor of the Liberty University chapter of the Habitat for Humanity Club, has always had a heart of service.
When Pettit became a professor at Liberty, she saw an opportunity to give students the chance to serve the Lynchburg community through housing construction and other service projects. Since its founding in the fall of 2014, the club has grown from just three members to an average of 40 to 50 students each year.
Pettit had previously volunteered with Habitat for Humanity in Lynchburg while she was a student at Liberty, and that experience eventually inspired her to create a similar opportunity for current students.
“I’ve always wanted to help people with the sense of pride for homeownership,” Pettit said.
Throughout its history, the club has worked with Habitat for Humanity chapters in Lynchburg, Amherst and Altavista. Pettit said the club looks for opportunities to serve wherever help is needed the most.
One of the club’s major accomplishments is its work with the Greater Lynchburg Habitat for Humanity, where Liberty students raised money to build four different houses. They also worked alongside construction crews to help build the homes.
For the past six years, the club has primarily worked with the Altavista Habitat chapter because it is smaller and has fewer resources. In total, Pettit estimates that the club has worked on approximately 20 to 25 homes since it was founded.
“It’s been very exciting to be part of so many homeownership builds and just being able to work alongside the homeowners,” Pettit said.
The club’s service extends beyond Habitat for Humanity. Students also volunteer with Valor Farm and World Help throughout the school year. During the semester, students typically spend each Saturday volunteering at construction projects and serving at Valor Farm. World Help projects typically take place on weeknights.
On construction days, students arrive at the site around 8 a.m. After working throughout the morning, they take a lunch break from 11:30 a.m. to noon before continuing work until the day ends at 2 p.m.
For Pettit, one of the most meaningful parts of the experience is seeing how their work impacts homeowners and their families.
“It’s really rewarding to be able to work alongside the homeowner and get to know their family and then help them build a home,” Pettit said.
The club continues to serve the community today through its construction projects and volunteer opportunities.
“Just being able to be part of that mission was just a great way to share the love of Christ and to have the students go out,” said Pettit. “It’s really rewarding to see the students give up their weekends to go and help others.”
According to Pettit, the club has also received financial support through two State Farm grants, which provided $40,000 toward two different homes. For Pettit, however, the most meaningful accomplishment is not measured by the amount of money raised or the number of homes built. She said she is proud of seeing the long-term impact that a safe home can have on a family.
Looking toward the future, Pettit said the club plans to continue serving homeowners while waiting for its next major construction project to begin. Upcoming projects include helping elderly homeowners who need wheelchair ramps or home renovations.
As the club continues its work in the Lynchburg community, Pettit hopes students recognize the impact of serving others and the effect it has on everyone.
“Sometimes when you go out thinking that you will be a blessing to someone else, you end up being blessed,” Pettit said.
Daniel is a feature reporter for The Liberty Champion.