Students Receive Grant for Habitat House

A $10,000 grant from the Marion County Habitat for Humanity Youth Program will help a group of Fairmont State University students reach their goal to build a house entirely with youth volunteers.

The grant, made possible through State Farm Insurance, was awarded to Honors students Kiley Wilfong, Daniel Bollinger, Justin Cullen, Ashley Hudimac and Matt Menas. The students will need to raise additional money to build the house from the ground up. They plan to hold a series of fundraisers this fall to help with the project.

The purpose of the new MCHFH program is to include more youth and young adults in the organization's mission to eliminate substandard housing in Marion County, said Suzanne Goralczyk, MCHFH Volunteer and Resource Coordinator.

An extension of the Habitat for Humanity International program, Youth United, the program has four main objectives: to engage young adults in the mission of Habitat for Humanity and empower them with the ability to make a difference in their own communities; to offer leadership roles to youth and young adults in order for them to develop as strong leaders; to actively involve children of Habitat homeowners as volunteer partners; and to provide diverse youth from various organizations, faiths, age groups and backgrounds a chance to work together in meaningful volunteer roles. Goralczyk said she has wanted to start a Youth United program in Marion County ever since she joined Habitat.

"When I met Kiley Wilfong, Daniel Bollinger, Justin Cullen, Matt Menas, Ashley Hudimac and Brittany Sphar (a West Virginia University student), I knew that I had finally found the right people to make this project happen," she said. "I am extremely grateful to these students and look forward to working with them on the first Marion County Habitat for Humanity Youth United house."

Bollinger said he believes it is his responsibility to give something back to the world in return for the blessings he has been given. Cullen said he considers it his responsibility to help those in need.

"Material things, such as this house we will be building, are important. But what is most important is lending a hand to help these families to get back on their feet," Wilfong said. "These families will realize that there are a lot of young people in this area that care about their welfare. That realization, on their part, is a goal we want to accomplish."

Goralczyk said MCHFH is hoping that someone will donate the land on which to build the Habitat house. The group would welcome a donation of a lot that is at least 100 X 100 square feet in size located anywhere in Marion County. Anyone with land to donate or who would like to be a part of the construction of the first all-youth-built house in Marion County should contact Goralczyk at (304) 363-4244.