There’s a certain satisfaction in paying it forward as adults. But when our children take the initiative to give back, it just takes our breath away. For a group of Smithtown H.S. East students, rolling up their sleeves and building homes with their own two hands is just business as usual. The Habitat for Humanity Club from Smithtown High School East helped build two homes in the Month of May.
The club fundraised all school year to help with the cost of materials to build each home. Last month, they got to use those materials as they helped to build a new life for two less fortunate families. The Habitat for Humanity Club members helped to paint, install sheetrock, lay siding along the exterior and even worked on the landscaping of each home they raised money for.
Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk founded its Student build program in 1991. Since then, over 80 Long Island high schools and colleges have begun teams, raising funds and awareness for the need of decent, affordable housing. To date; there are over twenty homes in Suffolk County, all built by Students who raised the funds themselves.
Every Fall, Schools and College campuses involved with Student Build, make a pledge offering a fundraising goal. Once they have raised the money pledged, each team joins up with Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk onsite and helps to build a home for a deserving family. The Student Build is both rewarding and empowering for the leaders of future generations. The program is designed, not only to encourage and enable young adults to do something about poverty housing, but also spreads awareness throughout each community.