The challenge for most college seniors -- besides studying -- is to find a job in their field or face final decisions about graduate school.

But Andrew and Ian Perrotta, twin brothers at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg, were inspired to face a challenge of a different sort last month. That was when they founded the organization Habitat for Hamtramck to help rejuvenate economically hard-hit Detroit.

To aid their cause, they've solicited the support of celebrity blogger Perez Hilton and Comedy Central star Stephen Colbert by proposing an Internet challenge to raise thousands.

Last month, the brothers saw a segment on ABCs "20/20" about artists purchasing foreclosed, vacant homes in the Detroit area for as little as $100 to develop a community. They researched and found on Craigslist several homes in Detroit and the nearby city of Hamtramck for less than $1,000.

That night, they jumped into their car, and by 5 the next morning they were in Detroit, checking out vacant neighborhoods and meeting with a real estate agent.

One week later, after home inspections and realizing the area's potential, the Perrottas had the quitclaim deeds for five 1920s-era Detroit homes, near the Hamtramck border. The total cost was $1,400.

Once returning home, the two tirelessly began utilizing Web3.0 networking, as Twitter and blog sites, to empower their voices.

"It's grassroots Internet mobilization to go out and help the community," said Andrew.

So far, they've assembled a local "ground team" of about 75 Detroit business people, builders and other citizens. They've also gained the support of 250 others from across the nation who have offered Internet donations.

But the biggest boost has been from Perez Hilton, who named the organization "a worthwhile cause" and posted information about Habitat for Hamtramck on his blog site -- perezhilton.com -- at 9:15 a.m. April 15.

"That same day, we received over $1,000 in donations," Andrew said.

One, he said, was for $500 from someone in New York who wishes to remain anonymous.

To further their Internet exposure, the brothers asked Mr. Hilton whether he would offer Mr. Colbert and his following, Colbert Nation, a Twitter challenge to raise $350,000 -- five times the Perrottas' original goal of $70,000 -- for their cause.

Mr. Hilton officially issued the challenge on www.twitter.com/perezhilton.

"I think [Mr. Colbert] would want to support it for sure, especially since we called him a coward to bait him in good fun," explained Andrew, who referred to Mr. Colbert as "one of the funniest people on the planet."

The brothers also developed a Web site -- www.isstephencolbertacoward.com -- and sent a certified letter to the director of Mr. Colbert's show, "The Colbert Report," informing her of the challenge.

At this point, Mr. Colbert hasn't responded.

Twenty-five more letters were sent to his director Tuesday from supporters of Habitat for Hamtramck.

"There's really no escaping this," Andrew said.

If Mr. Colbert accepts the challenge and meets it, the Perrottas have pledged to name one of their houses "The Stephen Colbert House" and have a full-sized mural of his face painted on the side.

Or they may create a 360-degree replica out of the house in the likeness of his head -- something that should fit right in with the budding artist community.

Once the homes are in live-in condition, the Perrottas will give them away, through a screening process, to those who have lost their jobs in the ailing economy.

"There are good people who have lost their homes of 20 years -- those who have paid their mortgages on time," Andrew said.

Although the homes the brothers currently own are in Detroit, they are as close as a half-block to the border of Hamtramck, a small city also affected by the auto industry.

"The quality of the neighborhoods that surround Hamtramck have a huge impact on the community. ... They are in pretty rough shape," said Hamtramck Mayor Karen Majewski. "What [the Perrottas] are doing in Detroit will affect our city as well."

Hamtramck has about 400 boarded-up, vacant homes. That 2.2-square-mile city is surrounded by Detroit. The immigrant community was incorporated as a separate municipality in 1922, when close to 60,000 people -- mainly of Polish descent -- lived there.

Since 1980 and the closing of the Dodge Main Plant, Hamtramck has lost population and now has about 25,000 residents.

"We're a community with a really strong identity," said Ms. Majewski, adding that her city is culturally diverse with 26 languages spoken in the school system.

The Perrottas have met with Mayor Majewski and are looking to purchase additional foreclosed homes within the Hamtramck city limits. Once this occurs, Mayor Majewski said she will be able to offer help in terms of hooking them up with community groups who do renovations.

"I tip my hat to them,"she said. "I find their willingness to take on this world-changing project so inspirational. It's what the country is ready for, what Detroit is ready for."

With or without Mr. Colbert's support, the Perrottas will continue to raise funds.

Students for Peace and Justice, a Pitt-Greensburg organization of which Ian is president, held a Habitat for Hamtramck vs. Stephen Colbert Challenge Awareness concert on Monday night. It featured Andrew's band, Blackmarket Theatre, and three other regional touring acts, The Sun Kings, Euphonic Brew and Bojibian. Greensburg artist Brian McCall has offered to donate one of his sculptures to auction.

In the meantime, the brothers have to get through finals this week. Andrew said he's not too worried.

"I've got bigger fish to fry."