Students work for 'Humanity'

Oct. 7, 2004
By Amanda Davis
Guest Writer

Pick up a hammer, bake a pie, or shovel a sidewalk, a little help can go a long way.

St. Ambrose has joined the Illowa Lutheran Coalition with St. Paul Lutheran Church, a neighboring parish, in their efforts to volunteer for Habitat for Humanity. Habitat for Humanity is a volunteer organization that builds houses for less fortunate families.

The cooperation is called Coalition for Caring and the two faith communities are sponsoring a house on 316 E. 12th St. for Tamara Stewart.  Many students at SAU have spent their Saturdays working on the house.

“Students see the importance of helping out in the community," P.J. Foley, who coordinates service learning and justice ministry on campus, said.  "It is a good program for the homeowners who can’t buy a house.”

Foley says that each homeowner must go through an application process to receive a home.

And volunteers shouldn’t underestimate what they can bring to this organization.  While some may not have much construction experience, they can help with other tasks including organizing fundraisers such as bake sales and wrapping Christmas gifts, calling volunteers for Habitat for Humanity, or even shoveling sidewalks on empty lots that Habitat owns are all equally important.

SAU student Amy Gutierrez worked for Habitat for Humanity in high school and is happy to be able to continue her volunteer work with the organization in college.

“It’s extremely fulfilling and in the end you realize that it really is a selfless act,” Gutierrez said.

The project has been a learning experience for Gutierrez.

“It was definitely an eye-opener realizing all the things in life one takes for granted,” Gutierrez said.

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