Midwest college students build Habitat for Humanity homes in Albany (Video)

ALBANY — For the past week, a swarm of Wisconsin college students were in Albany, a town most of them have never visited before, completing two new homes for people they’ll never meet.

And all of that for lunch and donuts.

This current crop of about 60 volunteers from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and Carthage College in Kenosha are eager participants in Habitat for Humanity’s Collegiate Challenge program, a week-long break from university fare for the purpose of community service, fellowship and travel.

David Wilson, volunteer coordinator and family service manager for Flint River Habitat for Humanity, said students from 13 separate colleges — all of them from “up north” — have pounded nails, put up siding or performed other construction tasks on two currents builds on Willow Oak Court.

“Over the past five weeks they’ve come from places like Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Wisconsin — even Canada,” Wilson said. “They really like the sunshine.”

In addition to the urge to help others, escape from the winter weather did seem to be a major motivating factor for many of the students. Hanna Shields, president of the Habitat Chapter at Carthage College, has participated in two previous Collegiate Challenges, though not in Albany.

“There’s a need everywhere, so if we can help out and get a little bit of that warm weather, it’s really nice. It’s definitely nice.” Shields said. “(The construction advisers) just tell us what to do and we dive right in.”

Shields said she and her fellow students were treated to area trips, including jaunts to Chehaw Park and Ray Charles Plaza, and were impressed by the local beauty.

Kendall Vega, a Carthage junior, has been on three Collegiate Challenges, she said, including one in high school.

“I love it,” Vega said. “Every year we get to learn something new about how to work on a house — like roofing or putting up walls or siding. I’ve enjoyed the experience down here. The weather’s been good and everybody’s so friendly.”

Vega said she also likes the confidence she’s gained from her building experiences.

“It’s nice to be able to help my parents around the house,” Vega said.

Jenna Peterson, a senior at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, agreed that students enjoy getting away from the harsh weather, but added that some of them participate in the Challenge to pick up building experience unavailable above the Mason-Dixon line.

“It can be hard to get that experience in Wisconsin — actually building a house, where you can look in and see what goes into it,” Peterson said.

“I thought it would be a great opportunity to do something for the community and have some fun. I love helping people,” said James Troyer, a University of Wisconsin pre-med student, “But I didn’t much care for the grits we tried. I think it’s an acquired taste. The sweet tea made up for it, though.”