Basketball teams aren’t the only ones representing their universities during this mad month of March. While 132 teams prepare to compete in the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Division I Basketball Championships, those from five universities are working on Habitat Greensboro houses as part of the Habitat for Humanity “collegiate challenge,” the local affiliate of the international organization announced today. Founded in 1987, Habitat Greensboro celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.
Stereotypical spring break activities for college students include warm, often seaside climates with copious quantities of celebration, but not all college students choose that spring break plan. Many strive for a more meaningful, fulfilling experience, and that’s the case for five universities with teams in Greensboro this month. For more than 25 years, Habitat for Humanity has provided spring break opportunities for high school and college-age students. Since its inception in the late 1980s, more than 250,000 students have committed to building safe, affordable homes throughout the United States through the collegiate challenge.
“We’re always grateful to the many fine young men and women from colleges across the United States that choose to forgo standard spring break activities for a more meaningful experience,” Habitat Greensboro CEO Maria Hanlin said. “These college students are clearly committed to making the world a better place, and we appreciate their contribution to our efforts to make Greensboro a better community one home at a time.”
Students representing Eastern University (Wayne, Pa.), Widener University (Chester, Pa.), the University of Rochester (N.Y.), Kutztown University of Pennsylvania (Kutztown, Pa.) and Hamilton College (Clinton, N.Y.) are spending a week in Greensboro this month working with Habitat Greensboro on either new construction, home renovations or at the Habitat ReStore in Gate City Boulevard. The University of Rochester and Kutztown University teams are in town this week, and their efforts are focused on building a floor system in a soon-to-be home for a Habitat family. The collegiate challenge concludes next week when the team from Hamilton College will be in the Gate City.