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Students roll up their sleeves at Habitat for Humanity Blitz Build

Liberty University students participate in Habitat for Humanity's annual Blitz Build in Altavista.

Liberty University students put down their books and grabbed hammers and nails during Habitat for Humanity’s annual Blitz Build, Oct. 18-19 in nearby Altavista. Two adjacent lots were the focus of a building project that produced two complete three-bedroom houses for local families currently living in sub-par housing.

Jenny Trevey, the executive director for the Altavista Area/Campbell County Habitat for Humanity, estimated the number of volunteers for the weekend totaled close to 350 people. Included in that tally were 150 Eagle Scholar students and 20 Technical Studies students from Liberty. Other groups, such as Liberty’s Center for Multicultural Enrichment and the Circle K Club, also had several volunteers present.

Trevey worked closely with Liberty volunteers throughout the weekend.

“I can see that there is no self, it’s just an expression of help and support,” Trevey said. “Everybody seems to have that attitude of ‘put me where you need me.’ That’s really refreshing.”

From hauling trash to the dumpster to the skilled craftsmanship of Technical Studies students, Trevey said each student worked willingly.

“I think this is as positive as it can be for Liberty,” Lance McClure, assistant professor and director of Technical Studies, said. “With all the different groups here, it shows we are setting the standard when it comes to volunteers, service, and helping very worthy organizations like Habitat for Humanity.”

Throughout the year, Liberty’s Technical Studies students complete general education and degree requirements residentially while taking trade courses as electives and minors through Virginia Technical Institute’s (VTI) state-of-the-art training facilities. According to Trevey, Habitat for Humanity typically has skilled volunteer tradesmen present for the pre-build, which includes pre-measuring and cutting boards, but this year Liberty’s Technical Studies students through VTI filled that role.

“This is a great program because it allows us to come to job sites and actually understand what we are learning in books and get more hands-on experience,” said David Mitchell, a senior pursuing a religion degree and a Technical Studies minor. “(The project) is coupled with healing for the family. My heart is a servant’s heart, so I love helping out others any way I can. To be a part of something like this is tremendous.”

Since the homes were built by a nonprofit company, the mortgages are interest-free, with payments less than $300 per month. Trevey said that area residents are celebrating with the families, who will be leaving behind mold, leaking windows, and rotting floors.

Liberty University Eagle Scholars help build homes with Habitat for Humanity.
Liberty University sent 150 Eagle Scholar students to help build two homes with Habitat for Humanity.

Freshman Eagle Scholar Jordan Pfau said the build was an opportunity for students to learn what it means to serve.

“I think one of the key leadership skills that we are practicing (with this job) is humbling ourselves,” Pfau said. “As a leader, people look up to you. (They notice) if you are humble and not exalting yourself. You can’t be afraid to ask other people for help; I think that’s something a lot of us are learning today.”

The Eagle Scholars Program provides high-achieving students the training necessary for personal and professional development to become leaders throughout college and beyond. Each semester, the students are involved in trips, events, and service projects.

Beginning with just a foundation, Saturday’s volunteers completed both houses’ siding, roofs, windows, and doors. Sunday’s workers finished laying shingles and sod before completing the landscaping. Inside details such as painting will be completed by future volunteers. The houses will be completely finished by the second week of December.

“We live in a fast world, so it’s nice to come on Saturday morning and see it Sunday afternoon and it looks like the houses have always been here,” Trevey said. “I hope as the years progress, we’ll have Liberty more and more involved. It’s a great group of kids, and we can count on Liberty students.”

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