Homecoming

Instead of bathing suits and sunblock, 10 Moravian students spent their spring break toting boots, hammers, and shovels, after traveling 13 hours by van to build a Habitat for Humanity house in Pickens County, South Carolina. Accompanied by Rev. David Bennett, College and Seminary chaplain, and Phyllis Walsh, community service coordinator, they spent five days installing lights, ceiling fans, electrical outlets, and shutters; painting bathrooms and closets, staining kitchen cabinets; digging driveways, and hammering together deck railings.

Moravian students worked on two projects. One was a “youth build” house: all the volunteer work came from high school and college students. The other house, across the street, had been framed and roofed by Clemson University students during Homecoming Week last fall. Each year while building their homecoming floats, the Tigers build a Habitat house on campus and then move it to its permanent home, where the finishing work is done.

“Can we do this again next year?” asked our participants as they headed back to Pennsylvania. Plans are in the works for more opportunities for service trips during spring break 2004. Daytona Beach isn’t the only place to get “all this and a tan, too!”