The campus-wide effort to renovate 1124 Barrett St., the house the College donated to Habitat for Humanity, is going strong. Among the latest groups to offer their labor were members of Wold House and Athletics.
Wold Co-House Council Chair Jennifer Libous ’08, who has been active in her Minerva since freshman year, said the impetus to help out came from Patrick O’hern ’11, a newly selected first-year representative on the Wold Council.
“He brought to Wold a strong, passionate desire to bridge the Minervas and Union College with the surrounding community. We latched onto his vision of community service among the Minervas.”
Libous and O’Hern said the Wold volunteers, who also included Sarah Toy ’09, Sheena Gupta ’10 and Ben Bunes ’08, were gratified by how much the Habitat organization appreciated their efforts.
“The director of the house commented on how fantastic it was to have some young people on the scene,” said O’hern.
“We may be busy and overwhelmed with commitments, but when students find even an hour or two, or more, to reach out to a world beyond Union College, it is amazing the number of opens arms ready for us,” said Libous. “You realize the impact a little compassion and sincere service to the community has on various people and society.”
Members of the Union men’s hockey team were just as passionate about their Habitat involvement. In early December, team members, coaches and administrative staffers checked in at the house, trading sticks and pucks for hammers and nails.
“It’s fun to get involved with things around town and help out the community,” said Captain Matt Cook.
“This is a great way to give back to our community, which supports the team and the college so well,” said Men’s Head Hockey Coach Nate Leaman. “It also is a terrific way to show the players how fortunate they are to be able to attend one of the best schools in the country and play Division I hockey.”
The women’s basketball team jumped in to assist at Habitat in mid-December, and the women’s rugby team was among the first to get involved in the fall. Other athletic teams are scheduled to work throughout the year as the house nears completion in the spring.
Also rallying for the cause were resident advisors, College Relations staff and Greek leaders as well as representatives from Student Affairs, Alpha Delta Phi fraternity, Hillel, the Chemistry Department, Bookstore and Mailroom. Many individual College faculty, staff and administrators have also taken the time to work and supply food for the teams. Dining Services has provided paper products that are used for lunches.
“I think this is a wonderful project, and I am excited to see all members of this community come together and make a difference in the local community,” said Student Activities Director Matt Milless, who has been documenting the ongoing work with photographs for the Union College Web site. “I would say this project is a huge success.”
Union donated the two-family home at 1124 Barrett St., which is adjacent to the Turf at College Park Field, to Habitat in October. The house was among 13 purchased by faculty and staff under the Union-Schenectady Initiative, an ambitious neighborhood revitalization plan.
Work will continue on the house until its completion this spring. For more information, or to sign up to help (slots are filling quickly), visit: www.union.edu/habitat.
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