OLLU's softball and cross-country teams volunteer at Habitat for Humanity
OLLU - Mon, Dec. 6, 2010
SAN ANTONIO (Dec. 6, 2010) -- With the holidays nearby and the semester coming to a close, weekends are busy spent studying, practicing, taking in the latest movie or catching up on sleep. Instead, the Our Lady of the Lake University's (OLLU) softball and cross-country teams spent their Saturday volunteering at the Hands Up Homes - the No. 1 nonprofit Habitat for Humanity builder in Texas and the fourth largest in the country.
Habitat for Humanity of San Antonio, Inc. (HFHSA) "is an ecumenical Christian nonprofit housing organization that works in partnership with God's people in need to build simple, decent and affordable homes." The organization works with low-income families who would not otherwise be able to afford a house.
Each year, more than 12,000 volunteers assist in various HFHSA activities. Volunteers raise funds, work in administrative offices, provide lunch for volunteers at the work site, work at home centers, and many volunteers - including the Saints' softball and cross-country teams and coaches - donate their time and efforts to actually building the houses.
"It was a very rewarding experience for all of us," said Head Softball Coach James Kling. "They worked us very hard all day."
Many of the team-members were on the roof putting the actual roof boards down and hammering them in. "They got a real taste of construction and what workers do on an every-day basis," Coach Kling said.
The group also met the woman who is actually going to live in the home once it has been completed.
Families whose total income is generally 25%-60% of the area median income are the ones who can benefit from this program. Families are accepted to the Habitat program based on their need, ability to pay a zero percent interest mortgage, and their willingness to partner. Families spend a minimum of 300 hours investing in "sweat equity" where they support and help build their own home and the homes of their neighbors.
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The athletic teams at Our Lady of the Lake University take pride in participating in volunteer activities such as this one. The gesture is part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Champions of Character program that aims to instill five core values in NAIA athletes and coaches: respect, responsibility, integrity, servant leadership, and sportsmanship. Our Lady of the Lake University shares and supports these values and strives to promote the Champions of Character program by working with students, coaches through our Champions of Character educational program. For more information on the Champions of Character program, click on the logo below: www.championsofcharacter.org.