Prep Talk

Interact Club Partners with Habitat for Humanity

Posted November 19th, 2013

 

Hermit pride! On Saturday, November 16th, members of the Interact Club and Mrs. McHugh, club moderator, worked at the Cumberland County Habitat for Humanity (CCHFH), which is the local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International.

CCHFH executive director, Richard Scarpa, explained to club members that Habitat works via locally run affiliates throughout the US (actually the world) building or restoring housing with the help of donations and volunteers. Local affiliates select qualified families to become homeowners. CCHFH received approximately 65 applications last year. Two recipients are selected annually – one from the Vineland area and one from the Millville area. Land and materials for the homes are donated or are secured at cost. Mortgages are financed interest-free. Typically, it takes 9 months to complete a home. Future homeowners are expected to donate 500 hours (sweat equity) towards the construction of the homes and are required to attend financial literacy courses. The future homeowner was also onsite working with the Interact volunteers. She was excited and quite appreciative of our help.

During our afternoon of service, club members backfilled the excavation site to the foundation tar line, constructed flooring framing, marked the subflooring at 16 inch intervals, and moved lumber. Others traveled to Habitat’s “Restore.”. The Restore is scheduled to open in January 2014, so some club members worked to prepare the facility on Delsea Drive by cleaning and moving trash left by the previous tenant. The Restore will act like a “Goodwill Store,” but instead of selling used clothing, the “Restore” will sell used home goods (lamps, appliances, furniture – donations are welcome). Volunteers were treated to a pizza lunch by CCHFH.

Attendees were Carl Schroeder, Michael Scarpato, Sal Scarpinato, Dillon Taylor, Paul Jawlowski, Anthony Chiolo, Jake O’Neill, Niko Basolis, Jeremy Wozunk, Michael Toner, Sean Carew, and Anthony Alfe. Special thanks go out to Mr. Paul Jawlowski, Sr. – parent of club member Paul –who pitched in and volunteered with us.

The Interact Club has committed to an ongoing afflilation with CCHFH. A monthly service activity is on the planned for this academic year.