July 13, 2009

Photo Gallery

COLLEGE CORNER, Ohio - Despite only having been in town for a few months or less, 30 incoming freshmen on the Miami football and men's and women's basketball teams have already given back to the greater Oxford community, as the newcomers volunteered on Saturday (July 11) to help build a house for Habitat for Humanity.

The student-athletes, along with some Miami athletics staff, put up siding on the back and north sides of the house of the four-bedroom, two-bath work-in-progress, while being supervised by professional construction workers. The house, located just a few miles northwest of Oxford in College Corner, Ohio, will be given to a mother and her three children upon completion. The house is expected to be finished by September or October of this year.

"Participating gave us the opportunity to give back to people who are in need and maybe less fortunate than us," said freshman football player Austin Boucher. "It also made me realize how blessed I was to have the things I have and some of the things I take for granted in life. It made me appreciate everything I have just a little bit more. It was definitely an eye-opening experience to see that some other people may not be as blessed as I am, so it's always nice to give back."

The freshmen awoke early Saturday morning and traveled together to the housing site, where they picked up hammers and nails and started sawing pieces of wood. Work began shortly before 9 a.m. and while the student-athletes weren't fazed by the dreary skies and drizzles, they unfortunately had their work-day shortened because of heavy rains around 1 p.m.

"Along with just giving back, it was fun to learn stuff too," Boucher said. "Learning how to put siding up on houses and the overall experience of building a house was fun. It was something new that I wouldn't do in my everyday life, which was a nice change of pace. Being able to learn, while also giving back, made the experience that much more special."

The family that will be moving into the house accompanied the student-athletes at the work site the entire time, sharing their appreciation and also helping with construction. The student-athletes were also treated to a home-made lunch cooked by a local church, consisting of sloppy joes, macaroni and cheese, watermelon and cupcakes.

The Miami ice hockey team has also volunteered with Habitat for Humanity this summer, as the defending national runners-up helped put the roof on the same house in mid-June.

"Miami's impact in that family's life is now permanent and every time they walk in that house with a roof over their head they will remember Miami athletics," said Lauren Cavallaro, director of Miami's CHAMPS/Life Skills program, "and the student-athletes will be able to look at that house and remember that they helped `make a house a home'."

The TriState Affiliate of Habitat for Humanity (covering parts of Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana) has built nearly 190 homes over the years, while the current project, which broke ground March 21, 2009, is the seventh house to be constructed in the Oxford area. The house is sponsored by the Miami University Habitat for Humanity Chapter, with almost $50,000 of the cost being raised by the student organization.

Habitat for Humanity of Ohio is a nonprofit, charitable, faith-based housing organization whose purpose is to assist Ohio Habitat for Humanity affiliates in increasing production of affordable housing. Habitat for Humanity of Ohio is a recognized state support organization by Habitat for Humanity International.

Ohio Habitat affiliates build simple, decent and affordable houses and provide interest-free mortgages to families who would otherwise not be able to purchase their own home.

--MURedHawks.com--

Printer-friendly format	Email this article