Students and community get chance to "lend a hand"

The Student Construction Association at Texas A&M University-Commerce has paired up with Greenville Habitat for Humanity to build houses for families. Students looking to help out the community and acquire community service hours can do so through this avenue called Project: LEND-A-HAND.

"[This] project is an effort to bring the A&M-Commerce community all together to help what I believe is a good cause," President of the Student Construction Association Jerome Huff said. "Each student can use this experience on their resumes, and overall- we all will benefit from lending a hand to our fellow man."

According to Construction Manager and Board President of Greenville Habitat for Humanity, Jeff Tyler, Greenville Habitat is a non-profit organization that builds houses for low-income partner families. Greenville Habitat and SCA welcome all volunteers to pitch in and help with the home development.

"I am trying to encourage as many Greek and social organizations to come out and take advantage of this excellent opportunity," Huff said.

Construction takes place every Saturday, starting at 7 a.m. when the workers meet to leave for the site and ends late in the afternoon. Volunteers are required to attend a safety/pre-site visit orientation the Friday before they volunteer.

According to Huff, the SCA is currently accepting registration through phone calls, emails and text messaging. Registration deadlines are every Thursday at 6 p.m. Students involved in this project have received both physical and emotional benefits from their experience.

"It's extremely rewarding having the opportunity to help out a community in need as well as observing firsthand the effects that it has on the family as progress is being made," Taylor said.

The project also relies heavily on local sponsors.

"Project: LEND-A-HAND is sponsored by the Student Construction Association (SCA)," Huff said. "Greenville Habitat for Humanity is sponsoring the construction of the Manor Garden home."

Volunteer groups and other outside individuals also contribute both financially and by supplying Greenville Habitat with construction materials.

"[Project: LEND-A-HAND] is a great cause," Taylor said. "I had the opportunity to meet some really great people, including the family that we were helping to build a house for."

Yeakley expressed the benefit of joining the project.

"It is really inspiring that people come out and help without the thought of recognition or pay," she said. "It gives you hope for people, you know that people are not all bad, that there are people out there willing to help others."

When the home is complete it is presented to its owners.

"[The] houses are sold to the partner families with no profit added and financed through no-interest mortgages to help make homeownership a reality for families," Tyler said.