RUSTON, La. – The local chapter of Habitat for Humanity recognized the ETA Zeta Chapter right before halftime Tuesday night in Tech’s 14-10 win over UTEP for their fundraising efforts in the first annual ”Raise a House” Award, known as the “Hammer Award.”
“Raise a House” was a campus-wide fundraiser for all student organizations, where each group would raise funds for Habitat for Humanity in any way they chose. The contest lasted two months with the deadline of Monday, Oct. 14.
”The chapter felt it was an amazing opportunity to give back to our Ruston community and philanthropy has always been important, but the competition made it even better,” Sigma Nu member Read Areingdale said. “The competition exceeded our expectations in the amount of money that was raised. But it doesn’t stop now. The chapter is planning to assist in the landscaping of one of the new houses being built in Ruston.”
“Our efforts entailed one day where we cooked and sold burgers in Centennial Plaza on campus and we also held a carwash at the Sigma Nu house that was extremely successful,” fellow Sigma Nu member Luke Hackney said. “The response from Habitat was truly grateful. For starters, (Habitat for Humanity CEO) Mrs. Kathy Gardner is truly an amazing woman. The passion she feels for Habitat is so authentic. Throughout our fundraisers she was so supportive and grateful that we could come together as a chapter for a better cause.”
Gardner said she was thankful for all of the efforts by students to help raise funds and encouraged for students to volunteer to help their efforts.
”For the first year I was totally blown away by what these students accomplished,” Gardner said. “We have two homes in Ruston to build now, and we need volunteer workers to help us complete these homes. We invite (other students) to join us next year, see what we’re about and volunteer building homes for those that need a hand-up and a safe place to call home.”
The Raise a House competition was deemed so successful that it will continue next year.
