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K-State Today

December 17, 2014

Student chapters to assist in low-income housing project over semester break

Submitted by Mary Rankin

Kansas State University student chapters of both the Associated General Contractors of America and Habitat for Humanity are tag-teaming to construct low-income housing, Jan. 11-18, 2015, in Mobile, Alabama.

Ray Buyle, assistant professor of architectural engineering and construction science and faculty advisor to both groups, and 27 students will drive to Mobile and spend five days constructing a new Habitat for Humanity home.

The service project and volunteer travel is funded in part by a community service grant from Target, awarded to the Associated General Contractors student chapter last spring, along with travel funding from the K-State Student Governing Association.

Adam Perkins, senior in construction science management and Associated General Contractors of America student chapter alternative break coordinator, was instrumental in planning this year's event, which marks the seventh consecutive year the student chapter has conducted this type of service project. Perkins organized the trip to Alabama through Habitat for Humanity International, which serves as a clearing house for local chapters looking to host an event for university student groups over their respective school breaks.

Starting in 2009, the Associated General Contractors student chapter made three consecutive annual trips to New Orleans to assist with reconstruction following Hurricane Katrina. In 2012, the group traveled to Joplin, Missouri, to help with the tornado relief effort and in 2013 went to St. Louis, Missouri, to assist Rebuilding Together–St. Louis with the renovation of low-income housing. Last year the combined K-State groups worked on three different Habitat for Humanity homes, along with other projects to assist the local community in Goldsboro, North Carolina.

Both student organizations also are currently involved with an ongoing Manhattan Area Habitat for Humanity home build in Wamego.

Three spaces remain for interested K-State students on a first-come basis. Requirements include a $75 per student fee for the trip and membership in either the Associated General Contractors or Habitat for Humanity K-State student chapters. The deadline to sign up is noon Friday, Dec. 19. Interested students can contact Perkins at perkinsa@k-state.edu or Buyle at rbuyle@k-state.edu.