By Shana Tachikawa
s-tachikawa@onu.edu
In the final installment of our three-part series, Habitat for Humanity volunteers travelled to Jackson, Mississippi over spring break. Fifty participants, including the group’s advisors and driver, made the 16-hour drive south in Habitat’s fifteenth year in Jackson.
“Within the trip, it was amazing to see the work done in the neighborhood from the past fifteen years,” said Tim White, a senior finance/management major and first-year participant. “I realized we were part of something that has been and will continue to be a huge part of the Jackson area.”
Though not even a Habitat member, White eagerly joined the Jackson trip as a final learning experience in his senior year.
“I knew I didn’t want a typical senior trip,” White said. “I’ve always been interested in Habitat and wanted to take part in something that’s established, service-oriented, and enjoyable.”
White served as a member of the 10 member roofing crew. The crew worked diligently, completing three roofs within the week.
“The work that we accomplished in eight hours would have normally taken over a week,” White said. “It showed how well we worked together even without the aid of nail guns.”
Beyond the roofing crew, students served on two work sites.
The first site started with nothing. Volunteers provided construction work on walls and siding, and by the end of the week, the exterior painting was almost complete.
At the second site, the home was already built. Providing the last details, workers added siding, a shed and exterior and interior painting.
“It felt good to be tired at the end of the day,” said trip leader and senior biology major Grace Lunsford. “We left the work site each day viewing the work we accomplished. Though there were some minor tool injuries and sunburn, nothing seemed to bring down our energy.”
While working, the volunteers interacted with Jackson Habitat for Humanity affiliates.
“A Jackson affiliate asked if we knew each other before going on the trip,” Lunsford said. “He found our ability to work so well together amazing. Though past groups performed well, he was really impressed with our group in particular.”
Gaining more interaction, White worked one-on-one with a Jackson Habitat foreman. The two went to the Habitat for Humanity warehouse and began preparation for next year’s trip.
“I saw how passionate he was about his personal involvement with Habitat,” White said. “Being a senior, it was an eye-opener. With a quarter away from graduation, it was what I needed to hear going into my career.”
Like White, the other volunteers took much more than memories home from Jackson.
“Leaving Jackson, I took away the feeling of just how capable we are,” Lunsford said. “We left with not only new friendships but also a fresh set of skills beyond that of a typical student that truly made an impact on Jackson.”