Greek Habitat house nears completion

The Habitat for Humanity project undertaken by the Greek Community is nearing its final stages after an eight month long journey.

"We are technically four-sevenths of the way done. We've completed four build days and we have three to go," said Jonathan Sangster, secretary of the Interfraternity Council (IFC).

The house itself has been erected and only needs interior work done.

"As far as the inside, it is just the drywall and landscape and final touches [left to go]," said Mike Moreland, IFC president.

The project was delayed because funding was coming slower than expected.

"We raised all the money, that is the big news. We had a number of other sponsors come through and donate, so we have raised all $100,000 for the project," Moreland said.

The project is trying to include people outside of the Greek community to have a large number of volunteers at each build day.

"We have tried to recruit volunteers from all across campus. We have tried to get approximately 50 volunteers out to each build day," Moreland said.

"We have been able to accommodate more when there has been high interest on build days, upwards of 80 people. The lower limit is around 30 people," Sangster said.

The building is progressing faster than expected.

"We started the construction of the house four weeks ago. Every Saturday, except for Thanksgiving break, we go out and build. We actually started the build on campus. The walls went up on the first day. We are still about a week ahead of schedule, and it will be done by Dec. 10," Moreland said.

The final build day will be a special day where the Greek community invites everyone associated with the project or Tech out to the final build.

"We are trying to make the final Saturday a VIP day, where we try to get as many people out there as possible beyond the 30 to 50 required volunteers. We are inviting administrators and faculty members to come out to the build. We are hoping to get a big Tech turnout," Moreland said. From the beginning, the Atlanta Habitat for Humanity has given their support for the project.

"Atlanta Habitat for Humanity was very excited about the start of the project. They actually sent out way more volunteer coordinators that usually ever come. A lot of Tech grads were there helping facilitate. It was a great experience," Sangster said.

A documentary is being filmed of the project to be used to archive the experiences had by those who donated time and money for the project.

"For the documentary that we received full funding for from the Bradley-Turner Foundation we have had at least two cameras out at every build rolling footage of the entire thing. We are looking forward to seeing the final product of the documentary," Sangster said.

The Greek Habitat house will not be the lone project. Plans are in the works to continue the project on an annual basis.

"We have plans to continue to fundraise over the next year so we can replicate the project with our second house most likely in the same neighborhood and that over time we raise enough money for a community leadership endowment so we can do this project each year. We can work to multiply our efforts and focus on this one neighborhood just west of campus so that it will be an entire community built by Tech. That will be an incredible goal to take on," Moreland said.

Though the initial project had more setbacks than expected, the experience has been better than those involved had thought it would be.

"This inaugural year has taken a lot more work than we imagined previously, but it has also been much more impacting and successful than we imagined it could be. Now that we've gone through the motions and have had all these successes over the past eight months, it will be very easy to continue this as a very solid annual event on campus," Sangster said.

"When you meet the family and you see this house being built, it is an incredibly humbling experience," Moreland said.