On the last block of North Elgin Street, vehicle after vehiclelines the road, leaving just enough room to pass. The sun's heatreflects from their exteriors into the eyes of dozens of peopleworking diligently pounding a nail or measuring a piece ofinsulation. The finished project, a home, nears closer with eachpassing minute.
Benny's Builders, a Ball State chapter of Habitat for Humanitycomprised mostly of staff from University Computing Services, theTeleplex, university libraries and student affairs, is working tocomplete the last of six houses in the 1000 block of North Elgin.The group formed last spring and has participated in severalworkdays since then.
"It's a blast," coordinator of Benny's Builders Todd Phelpssaid. "The house looks a certain way when you arrive at thebeginning of the day, and when you leave, you see instantaneousresults of the labor you put forth that day."
Barbara Hubbard, executive director of the Greater MuncieHabitat for Humanity chapter, said hundreds of Ball State groupshave joined in the effort to help build affordable housing aroundthe community.
"It is such a generous demonstration of all these people'seffort," Hubbard said. "It truly becomes a community effort when somany of the campus community and the Muncie community join togetherand support the developments."
Volunteers work most Saturdays, rain or shine, to build a house,which usually takes around a thousand hours to complete, saidHubbard.
Families receiving the houses are required to work along withthe volunteers a minimum of 250 hours per adult family member, sheadded.
"It's very rewarding to know that you are helping someone that,otherwise, could not have a home," Phelps said. "If you have aheart at all, you care about people. You know you're helpingsomeone who's very grateful, and there's great satisfaction indoing that."
Benny's Builders' workday Sept. 25 focused on finishing up athree-bedroom home for a single mother with two children, saidHubbard.
For Annie Childers, a volunteer of Bracken library, the buildingeffort was a new experience.
"I thought I would try something new," Childers said. "I'vealways admired Habitat for Humanity. It's nice to see directresults from your work."
Benny's Builders' hopes to sponsor a house for next year, whichwould make them the first Ball State group to do so, said Hubbard.The necessary contribution is $50,000. Of that, the volunteers haveraised $28,909, according to their Web site.
Fred Nay, director of UCS, is supporting the Builders' byoffering to match, dollar for dollar, any contribution made by aUCS employee, up to $1,000.
"It's a good cause," Nay said. "People need houses and yourdonation applies directly to the community. I'm just trying to getpeople more motivated. I hope people jump right in."
"It's a campus-wide effort," Phelps said. "We're not limitingthe group to anyone. We have some work ahead of us to raise money,but it's amazing what you can do. We have a good time."
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
