Over spring break, Eastern’s chapter of Habitat for Humanity (HFH) traveled to Lake View, SC, dedicating their time, labor, and resources to help construct a home for a family in need. The mission of the trip was simple: “to remove the barriers that prevent affordable housing for the [Lake View] community,” according to Rebecca Drazul, the student organization’s treasurer.

The group spent five days in the southern community, constructing flooring, walls, window frames, and a porch. The student volunteers learned and utilized various carpentry/construction skills and techniques to help with the safe and timely construction of the building.

“The moment the four exterior walls went up was the greatest moment of the trip for me,” said Jake Cohen, a club member who attended the trip. Cohen highlighted the satisfaction he felt after seeing their finished work. “Seeing all the work we did — from building headers, marking studs, and nailing it all in — was such a great feeling.”

Eastern’s HFH collaborated with Marion-Dillon County Habitat for Humanity to make the trip possible. Marion-Dillon County HFH Executive Director Ricky Hardee praised the Eastern students’ dedication and spirit. “It’s hard to explain, but I sensed a ‘connection’ with everyone in the group. This made for a very pleasant week for our staff,” he said.

Hardee emphasized the importance of the Eastern students and other collegiate HFH groups for their role in expanding access to affordable housing in the community. “There is a huge need for affordable housing in Dillon County,” he said. “We are excited to be able to help meet some of those needs for families residing in substandard housing.”

Denise McCraw, office manager for the Marion-Dillon County HFH, echoed this sentiment. “We couldn't do what we do without our Collegiate Challenge students,” she said. “With their help, we are able to keep the price of our homes down so homeowners can afford them.” According to the Habitat for Humanity website, the Collegiate Challenge is a nationwide volunteering challenge open to HFH groups, offering various volunteering opportunities across the United States.

The Eastern and Marion-Dillon County HFH weren’t the only parties necessary to make the project a reality. “A memorable moment was meeting Darius (Shaquille) Leonard, who donated the land we were building on in his hometown of Lake View,” said McCormack. Leonard, an NFL linebacker for the Indianapolis Colts, has made various donations and investments to his hometown.

Beyond the construction site, the trip fostered meaningful relationships and strengthened existing bonds between students. “By spending a week together, you truly get to know the people you are volunteering with — and even those you are volunteering for,” said Drazul.

She shared a particular memory she formed with Lewis Evans, president of the Board of Directors of Marion-Dillon County HFH. After learning of Drazul’s sweet tooth, Evans ensured the entire student team had enough sweets to last them the rest of the trip. “This interaction, along with many others, showed all of us how much our help meant to the community,” said Drazul.

The students also enjoyed a break from building, spending a day in Myrtle Beach, as well as lots of time connecting with the local community. “If it weren't for such a great team of people that came down and the community supporting us, I wouldn't have had such a great trip,” said student volunteer Gabriel Villalba. “It taught me to value the community around you.”