2008 Woodie Awards
Hendrix and Habitat for Humanity
Laura Hutchison
Issue date: 9/15/06 Section: News
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Sophomore Heather Hawkins is breathing new life into Hendrix's Habitat for Humanity Club. The club, also known as Hendrix for Habitat, was started about eight to ten years ago with the help of German Professor Dr. Wayne Oudekerk. Both Oudekerk and Hawkins have an active history of working with Habitat chapters. Hawkins became involved in high school, and has been volunteering for about four years. Oudekerk was a member of the local Habitat chapter's board, and jumped at the chance to connect the Hendrix campus with the Faulkner county community.
Hawkins was hesitant to join Hendrix for Habitat the past academic year because there were so few members. Instead of backing down, she resolved to encourage more student participation in the group. Hawkins joined the club and volunteered to be club president for the 2006-07 academic year.
Hawkins believes that more than anything, the club would benefit from higher participation from Hendrix students. Volunteers would be asked for one Saturday morning every three to four weeks. The club meets at the Bell around 8:00 am and drives to the work site together.
Hendrix for Habitat recently worked on a site in nearby Benton last Saturday. There the students worked on the home's aesthetics, mainly painting and cleaning up the yard. It usually takes one week for a house to be "in the dry," a standing structure with a roof and walls. This is followed by about 2 months of interior and aesthetic work.
Hendrix for Habitat aims to involve committed students, recruit new volunteers, and help local chapters. The club tries to attend the annual Collegiate Challenge every Spring Break, where two to three groups from different schools work on building a home from the ground up. Unfortunately, the group was unable to attend last year because there were so few volunteers.
This year, the Collegiate Challenge location will be chosen on Sept. 16. The sites are usually out of state and within a day of driving distance. Every four years, Hendrix for Habitat unites with the Habitat Club from UCA to perform a Blitz Build in Conway during Spring Break. The next Blitz Build will take place in Spring of 2009. Currently, Hendrix for Habitat works mainly with local affiliates from Faulkner, Pulaski, Saline, and Garland counties.
Hawkins was hesitant to join Hendrix for Habitat the past academic year because there were so few members. Instead of backing down, she resolved to encourage more student participation in the group. Hawkins joined the club and volunteered to be club president for the 2006-07 academic year.
Hawkins believes that more than anything, the club would benefit from higher participation from Hendrix students. Volunteers would be asked for one Saturday morning every three to four weeks. The club meets at the Bell around 8:00 am and drives to the work site together.
Hendrix for Habitat recently worked on a site in nearby Benton last Saturday. There the students worked on the home's aesthetics, mainly painting and cleaning up the yard. It usually takes one week for a house to be "in the dry," a standing structure with a roof and walls. This is followed by about 2 months of interior and aesthetic work.
Hendrix for Habitat aims to involve committed students, recruit new volunteers, and help local chapters. The club tries to attend the annual Collegiate Challenge every Spring Break, where two to three groups from different schools work on building a home from the ground up. Unfortunately, the group was unable to attend last year because there were so few volunteers.
This year, the Collegiate Challenge location will be chosen on Sept. 16. The sites are usually out of state and within a day of driving distance. Every four years, Hendrix for Habitat unites with the Habitat Club from UCA to perform a Blitz Build in Conway during Spring Break. The next Blitz Build will take place in Spring of 2009. Currently, Hendrix for Habitat works mainly with local affiliates from Faulkner, Pulaski, Saline, and Garland counties.
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