Justin Mahan

Contributing Writer

Many students go to the southern states to soak up the sun and swim in the ocean and party, but not these particular ten Keene State College students. They spent their spring breaks with the Alternative Break program assisting Habitat for Humanity in Florida through the Keene State College Community Service Office.

They were sent to Clearwater, Florida, to help Habitat for Humanity in any way they were asked to.  “We’re here making a difference, which I think is amazing,” KSC student Sarah Bean said. Bean was one of the members of the group who traveled over 1,400 miles to help with the construction of a Habitat home in a neighborhood filled with 51 just like it — all of which were built by volunteers.

Contributed Photos / justin mahan

Their site leader was named Jack and was a Habitat homeowner himself. “I’ve been here since the very first home coming all the way around. It’s been fantastic,” said Jack. He helped the students with whatever they asked during construction, and always did so with a smile on his face and some joking around from time to time.

In order to qualify for a Habitat home, individuals must invest sweat-equity hours in building his/her home and others, make an affordable down payment, make timely mortgage payments and attend homeowner education classes. Each home takes about three months to construct and is completely built by volunteers.

The group spent a full week helping construct a house and the amount of work the team provided, helped bring the house up to speed in the construction process with the house next door, a house that was started three weeks prior to this one.

The students are sad to be home and wished they could have continue their services, but they are glad for the difference they have made. “I’m really passionate about Habitat for Humanity,” Bean said. “I’m very happy that we came somewhere warm but I would have done it even if we were in Canada.”