Habitat for Humanity

I'd like to think that people who don't volunteer only do so because they're just not sure where to start. So I'll post a few local and international organizations that always love new members!

Habitat for Humanity seemed like a good place to start, because it's an organization I'm involved with and know a bit about. UMaine recently created a club on campus that's a combination of undergrad and grad students, and backed by both the Business School and Student Gov't. The club is also working in conjunction with the Bangor Area Habitat for Humanity- fundraising and helping out with community projects.

What does Habitat do? If you go to UMaine, you've probably seen the Bodwell center offers Habitat trips around the country during breaks and long weekends. Habitat for Humanity International (http://www.habitat.org/) builds houses all over the country for people who need the help. Here's a description from the website:

"Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Habitat builds and rehabilitates simple, decent houses with the help of the homeowner (partner) families. Habitat houses are sold to partner families at no profit and financed with affordable loans. The homeowners’ monthly mortgage payments are used to build still more Habitat houses.Habitat is not a giveaway program. In addition to a down payment and the monthly mortgage payments, homeowners invest hundreds of hours of their own labor—sweat equity—into building their Habitat house and the houses of others."

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Currently the Bangor Habitat is about to open a Restore shop in Holden (Just outside Brewer) which has been undergoing renovations for months. Donated building materials will be resold to people who can't afford retail priced materials but need to renovate or repair.

As for the club on campus, this winter the group put on a concert featuring local bands, and slept outside on the University Mall in homemade shanties for a few nights to raise money for future projects. In the upcoming weeks and months Habitat will be at the Care-A-Fair (look for flyers) and will be helping out with the Restore. If you're interested in joining (the club is thinking of potential officers for next year) meetings are held in DPC 117 Thursday nights at 6:30.