User submitted content courtesy Karen McVay  

Not many people know that small groups of high school and college-age kids can dive into Habitat [home] builds all over the country through a program called Collegiate Challenge.

Through the eyes of my nine best friends, two incredible parents and I, Habitat for Humanity captured the perfect chance to make a positive contribution to the community of Beaufort, S.C., while simultaneously binding us forever with sand, saltwater, sun, paint, caulk and rain!  It was a perfect kick-off for the summer and relatively easy to do too.  Back in January, our group applied online after conning our two chaperones to go.  All the time spent earning and saving money for donations and expenses, and the planning and packing for our trip from suburban Midlothian, Va., to the beach campsites on Hunting Island definitely paid off.

Our group’s significant accomplishment of painting a house’s exterior in mid-90 degree heat ultimately stemmed from each member’s genuine determination to help those less fortunate. “The rewards are limitless,” said group member Molly Risendal. 

Low Country Habitat coordinators and many volunteers expressed commendable southern hospitality including homemade peanut brittle, daily donuts, lunch, mid-morning snacks and several home cooked meals on dry ground.  Regular volunteers even took the high paint jobs, letting us caulk, dig, and stucco a while.

We learned a lot about the Habitat for Humanity organization and about the Low Country of South Carolina.  Our 12 group members now take the spirit of Habitat with us back home and beyond continuing to make a difference.

God Bless the Chaplin Family and best of luck to them in the fall when their house is complete!

Group members included Karen McVay, Molly Risendal, Erin Stehle, Emily Picklehaupt, Samantha Tillar, Stephen Weinstock, Scott Upson, Chris Hruenini, Zach Chapin and Zach Vick.  Nancy McVay and Michael Weinstock chaperoned.

For more information on Habitat for Humanity’s Collegiate Challenge visit:  http://www.habitat.org/youthprograms/int/collegiate_challenge.aspx