By Shana Tachikawa
s-tachikawa@onu.edu
Furthering its mission against substandard housing, ONU’s Habitat for Humanity recently sent 25 students to Johns Island, South Carolina, in the second of three spring break mission trips.
“Through Habitat for Humanity’s spring break trips, students show their commitment to volunteer work and are able to actually see the end product of their efforts,” said Habitat for Humanity President and P3 Jay Gindlesberger.
Eager to help others, Habitat volunteers were in constant motion. A typical day began with a 6 a.m. wake-up and breakfast.  Because the work site was 45 minutes away in small-town Hollywood, South Carolina, the group left its volunteer housing by 7 a.m. to begin the work day by 8 a.m. Aside from a lunch break at noon, students worked all day until 4 p.m.
After a full day of labor, the group returned to the volunteer housing to clean up and have dinner. Each evening at 6 p.m., the students ate with different church groups throughout the week.
“Eating with the church groups was an opportunity to speak one-on-one with individuals who knew the area,” Gindlesberger said. “We had a lot of great interaction with people eager to spend time with us.”
Though the work site demanded much effort, the volunteers still made time for bonding activities. On the first day, the group went sightseeing throughout the Charleston area. Later in the week, the students took a ghost tour of downtown Charleston.
Moreover, on a daily basis, the group held a devotional. Through this, they prayed, unwound and discussed the positives and negatives of the day. Afterwards, the remainder of the evening was open to free time.
Though the volunteers enjoyed their downtime, they still knew their purpose. When the group first arrived at the work site, only the subfloor was complete. On the first day, students worked on the framing and walls. Throughout the next few days, the volunteers worked on the home’s back deck, sheathing, house wrap, tresses and installation of porch beams.
“At the work site, we put in our full effort,” said trip leader and P3 Kirstin Bradley. “Our supervisor even told us that we were one of the most quick and efficient groups he had ever worked with.”
With such positive reinforcement, the group maintained a good attitude.
“As a trip leader, it’s nice to reflect on our accomplishments. I’m really proud and cannot think of a single time that anyone made a negative comment. The overall high morale of the trip was so encouraging,” Bradley said.
Noting her positive experience, Bradley encourages others to consider the Habitat spring break trips.
“I’d never picked up a hammer until I joined Habitat. The members were so welcoming, and no one was quick to judge,” Bradley said. “Looking back, I’ve met almost all of my friends through Habitat and could never picture myself on a spring break trip without Habitat for Humanity.”
Agreeing with Bradley, Gindlesberger notes, “There’s just something about going on Habitat for Humanity’s spring break trips that is hard to explain. The bonds and memories we make are indescribable. Simply put, it’s amazing.”