The Habitat Experience

Lindsey, Ashley, and Tracy representing their sorority, Alpha Delta Pi, after taking cover from the rainstorn

This was my first trip with Habitat for Humanity.I absolutely loved every single second of the Habitat trip this year! There were some ups and downs, but the second the pieces of wood started resembling a house, I knew that every second was worth it. This Spring Break was well worth all the effort. I had thought about going on the typical Spring Break next year, but there is no way I could pass up the opportunity to help others in such a tremendous way. On top of everything, I meet some really awesome people. both faculty and students, and have definitely created memories that will last a life time. - Lindsey Van Sparrentak

Representing the Alpha Phi Sorority

Carolyn, Ashliegh, Rachel, Jalessa, Maureen, and Karie

 I love this trip! It is nice to get away from school and everything else, but its awesome to know that you are helping change someone's future. Habitat means someone's life is changing for the better. We are able to help others who need it. I feel like a good Samaritan and hopefully in the long run, we will encourage the future home owners do the same. -Maureen Heacock

Beth, Brie W., and Kelly Ann working hard

Before we left I was waiting to get super stoked and pumped but I never did until we showed up the first day and I was told to build door frames with Kelly Ann and Brie. Once i pounded in the first hammer it just felt so good to know that what i was doing was actually going to be used in this house that we were building. Then when i saw the first door frame go up I was beaming. I just kept thinking "No way. Did I really help build that?" It was so cool. I loved going on this trip and seeing so many houses being built in places that didnt have anything there to begin with was amazing. Going on this spring break trip was an experience I will never forget. Habitat for Humanity means lending a hand when someone heads help back on their feet. That sounds so corny buts its so true. People dont ask for help often but when they do, as human beings, we should be there asking what we can do. It's common knowledge you help someone who needs help; therefore, Habitat For Humanity seems like common knowledge to me. -Beth Rosepal

PJ, Ashliegh, and Maureen at the Marti Gras Dinner

While on the spring break trip I felt so blessed to be a part of such a wonderful organization such as Habitat For Humanity. I was the first person on the waitlist for the trip back in the fall, so being able to go to Georgia, meet the people I've met, and help the Columbus, Georgia area rebuild its community was such a blessing. I love Habitat For Humanity because of it's ability to inspire hope. Habitat inspires hope not only in it's homeowners, but in its hardworking volunteers, also. It helps one realize that there are other people out there helping to better our communities and change the world in a positive way, one house at a time. - Ashliegh Jarzenski

Spring Local Builds!

We have two local builds coming up soon and we invite YOU to come out and help build a house in the community!

Local Build Dates:

Saturday, March 26th
Saturday, April 9th

Meet outside the mailroom at 8:30 A.M. come dressed appropriately!

Hope you can make it!

Sausage Biscuits and Cracker Barrel

Before we begin this post we would like to apologize for our lack of communication during the spring break trip. When we arrived at St. Luke's, the church we were staying at, we found out that we wouldn't have access to wifi...therefore, the lack of blog posts.

Now that we're back on campus we can now give you a rundown of the Habitat For Humanity Spring Break Trip 2011! (Get excited!)

Monday, March 7th


Wake-up call comes before the sun is up at 6 am and we scramble to our white 15- passenger vans. After arriving on site, we eat our first of many sausage biscuit sandwiches and are greeted by Brinkley Pound, the director of the Columbus Habitat for Humanity chapter, a City Council woman, and a multitude of Habitater's from schools across the country. After breakfast we meet our contractors and get to work on the cold, concrete slabs were supposed to resemble houses by the weeks end. By the end of the day, we had four walls, rooms, and were starting on the roof.

Before

After Day One

Tuesday, March 8th

We were fortunate to have absolutely beautiful weather on Tuesday; however, we all became red lobsters due to the wonderful gift of sunburns from the Georgia sun. The roof went up on one of our two houses and preparations were underway to start siding. For dinner, the lovely Trinity Episcopal Church prepared a Marti Gras dinner of pancakes followed by a parade. 

Wednesday, March 9th

Shortly after arriving on site Mother Nature struck and sent a storm our way. Since the weather kept us from building we spent the day acting as Georgia tourists and toured the National Infantry Museum then headed to Alabama for dinner at a nearby Pizza Hut.

Thursday, March 10th

Windows and doors were installed in the house and the porch went up on the house today. We also started siding and tar-papering the roof.

Thursday night, St. Luke's hosted all of the Collegiate Challenge Teams for dinner and a talent show! Ashland University displayed a wide range of talents from Morgan Mirtes banjo playin', Brie Diehl and Kelly-Ann Carter's pick-up lines, Ashliegh Jarzenski's dancing, and Brie William's taekwondo board-breaking skills. Congratulations to Ashland's own Brie William's for winning first place in the talent show!

Morgan playing her banjo and singing Katy Perry's "FireWork"

Ashliegh dancing to Sam Sparro's "Black & Gold"

Talent Show Champion Brie showing some kick-butt Taekwondo moves

Friday, March 11th

The weather was beautiful during our last day in Columbus, Georgia. During our time on site we started shingling the roof, finished the siding, and blessed the house. It is tradition for Habitater's to write on the walls of the house to bless the house and the family that will be living in it. We were able to meet and talk to the family that would be living there and Ashland's team felt very blessed to be able to help out the wonderful Ingram family. 

A few of our blessings:

By the end of the week it was amazing to see how far we progressed during the Spring Break trip. When we arrived on Monday morning we had just a slab of concrete; by the time we left on Friday evening we had a house. 

Before

After

In the News!

Habitat For Humanity Collegiate Challenge: Spring Breakers Coming To Build Houses

Habitat Houses Go Up As Temperatures Go Down

Habitat For Humanity Crews Wrap Up Week Of Building Homes

What up, Georgia!

Hello everyone back home! Just a quick update...

We loaded up and left Ashland University at 9 last night, drove through the night, and arrived in Georgia at approximately 7 this morning! Unfortunately, it looks like the rainy weather we left in Ohio followed us here.

Shortly after arriving we stopped at Cracker Barrel for breakfast. Let me tell you, I am loving the southern accents!

We are now back on the bus and on our way to Atlanta to visit CNN, Coke-Cola, the aquarium, Centennial Park,  and whatever else we decide to do!

<--- Sleeping Beauty (Jim)

Carolyn and Rachel playing checkers after their breakfast

Ryan and Liz relaxing on the rocking chairs

Ashliegh being...well..herself.

Exec Board Member Profile: Ashliegh Jarzenski, Off-Campus Fundraising Chair

Ashliegh Jarzenski
Off-Campus Fundraising Chair
Year: Freshman
Major: Broadcast Communications
Minor(s): Journalism & Speech Communications


How many years have you been involved in Habitat For Humanity?
first year


What is your favorite memory with Habitat For Humanity?
Although I haven't gone on the trip yet, I have gone on a few local builds and participated in many fundraisers. I'm very excited to be going on the trip and meet all the wonderful people who chose to volunteer during their spring break. I'm so excited and we'll definitely be making memories that last a lifetime!


Why do you love Habitat?
I love Habitat because it is a unique way to give back to the community. I love that the organization not only shares a home with those who need it, but gives them hope and a future with their "hand up, not a hand out" philosophy.