April 24, 2007
NORMAL, Ill. -
They're willing to get dirty on and off the gridiron and the members of the Illinois State football team are proving that this weekend when the Redbirds lend a helping hand to the Habitat for Humanity of McLean County. The entire ISU squad will assist with landscaping at the Woodbury Estates subdivision in Bloomington, Ill., on April 28.
Habitat for Humanity of McLean County partners with volunteers in the area to build simple, decent and affordable houses with families in need. Working in two shifts, from 7:30-11:30 a.m. and 12:30-4:30 p.m., different groups of football players will help with landscaping efforts at the newly constructed Woodbury Estates subdivision in Bloomington. Construction at Woodbury Estates began in June 2006, and with the project nearing completion, final touches, such as landscaping, are necessary.
Ted Crane, the Coordinator of Academic Services at Illinois State, feels that this opportunity will benefit both Habitat for Humanity, as well as the Redbird football program.
"The Illinois State football team is excited to work with Habitat for Humanity of McLean County for football's yearly community service project," said Crane. "The guys are eager to continue their involvement in the community which has been very supportive to them in the past and to help reach the athletic department's annual goal of 2,000 hours. The team has been working hard in the classroom, on the field and in the community and it is evident with the increased point values associated with the incentive-based Scholar-BallerTM program which was developed to boost those three areas. I'm very proud of their efforts."
Habitat for Humanity's Volunteer Coordinator Ashley Graber believes that students in the community are becoming more involved with volunteer activities.
"We have an outstanding relationship with Illinois State University students and faculty," said Graber. "As the second-highest campus chapter in the nation, the students at Illinois State University in partnership with Illinois Wesleyan University are great examples of a generation of young people stepping up and taking action. We are thrilled that the Redbird football team has joined the effort to eliminate poverty housing in McLean County."
Visit the official website for Illinois State athletics, GoRedbirds.com, for photo galleries of this and many other community service events.
About the ISU/IWU Habitat for Humanity Collegiate Chapter: The 2006-2007 build season proved to be an exciting year for the ISU/IWU team. Their partnership has been named the second-highest Habitat campus chapter in the nation. Also, they received second place for the Carter Partnership Award in Illinois, which honors local colleges for their collaborative efforts in the community. The students from both universities have embraced the challenge of raising nearly $40,000 for their house this year. April 21st marked the house blessing of their 12th consecutive home in McLean County.
About Habitat for Humanity of McLean County: Habitat for Humanity of McLean County (HFHMC) is a local affiliate of the international non-profit Christian housing ministry working to eliminate poverty housing worldwide. As a social service agency, home-builder and mortgage lender, HFHMC partners with volunteers and families on a non-discriminatory basis to build simple, decent, affordable houses and sell them at cost through a no-interest loan to families in need. Chartered in 1985, HFHMC works within the geographic boundaries of McLean County, Illinois. By the end of 2007, Habitat will have built 109 homes, housing 492 people to date, including 330 children. They are currently working in the Woodbury Estates Subdivision, an affordable housing partnership with the Tornquist Family Foundation and the City of Bloomington.
