For decades, college students have flocked to Florida to bask in the sun and party during their annual spring break.
A group of 14 students and staff from the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg also traveled -- 17 hours in a van -- to the Sunshine State earlier this month. But they didn't even see the beach until they finished their work on a home for a family in need through Habitat for Humanity.
Joining them was a group of six students and staff from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown.
"It was a long week, but a wonderful experience," said Dorothy Zilic, assistant director of career services and co-adviser of the Habitat for Humanity group from Pitt-Greensburg. She said they averaged eight- to 10-hour work days, beginning at 8 a.m.
This trip marks the eighth year a group from Pitt-Greensburg has constructed a home in Walton County, Fla., in the state's panhandle.
Since 1976, Habitat for Humanity International, a nonprofit ecumenical Christian housing ministry, has been working to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness. Volunteers from all backgrounds, races and religions work under the guidance of local professionals on just about every aspect of home construction, including erecting walls, roofing and siding work.
"The first thing you do when you get there is unload a truck," said Ms. Zilic. Windows, roof material and walls, some preassembled, were delivered together to be constructed into a single-story home atop a cement foundation.
This was the first time J.P. Hilzendeger, a junior management major, built a home for the organization.
"It was more challenging than what I expected. I was surprised at how much the professionals trusted the students. We got to contribute a great deal," he said.
John Ritenour, senior and president of the Pitt-Greensburg group, said he had never done any construction before his first trip a couple years ago. This was his third Habitat for Humanity project.
"I know that at each of these sites, they're teaching you what you need to know," he said.
The manual labor they performed was a far cry from college book work. Mr. Ritenour said he found the most difficult task to be putting up the heavy truss of the roof, while Mr. Hilzendeger thought cutting around dryer vents and window placements along the side wall to be challenging.
"It takes precision and patience, but it's really cool when you finish and stand back and look at the wall you just put up," he said.
The cost to build the home is $55,000, and 100 percent of it was raised by the community of Sandestin, Fla., said Mr. Ritenour. Habitat homeowners receive no-interest loans, and the money they pay each month goes toward future Habitat homes.
"The people there were incredibly uplifting. Volunteers from all over fed us and welcomed us into their home throughout the week," said Mr. Hilzendeger. While the students were working on the home, a local high school group did landscaping.
"The great thing about Habitat for Humanity is you often get to know the future homeowner. It feels as if you're working for a friend or neighbor," said Ms. Zilic. Future homeowners are required to put in a certain number of "sweat equity" hours. The amount of time varies from chapter to chapter.
This home was built for grandparents and their three school-aged grandchildren.
By the end of the week, the group had completed the exterior of the house, complete with gray paint and red shutters. Studs were placed for the inside walls but they were left open so that plumbing and electricity can be installed by the local Habitat chapter over the next month.
"I can now shingle a roof and put up siding, but the most rewarding thing is knowing I made a change in someone's life because I put up a few walls," said Mr. Ritenour.
First Published: March 31, 2011, 5:15 p.m.
