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Students halfway to Habitat for Humanity goal
Feb 20, 2007 9:21 AM
By Tannika King - Faculty
Through the work of Habitat for Humanity, thousands of low-income families have found new hope in the form of affordable housing. Churches, community groups and others have joined together to successfully tackle a significant social problem – decent housing for all – and this year, Darlington jumped on the bandwagon.
Students in grades 9-12 have united for a school-wide service project, pledging to raise $50,000 to build a Habitat House in South Rome.
House Senate member Ben Pate (’07) agreed to coordinate the effort under the guidance of Dr. Mark Carleton, assistant headmaster and director of Upper School, and Head of House Reba Barnes. Pate is no stranger to hands-on humanitarian efforts. In the fall of 2005, he was one of 21 Darlington students who spent their spring break assisting the residents of Collins, Miss., in recovering from the destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina.
“For me, the most rewarding part of a project like this is seeing everyone get behind it 100 percent to get it accomplished,” said Pate. “There are so many things that students – both day and boarding – have been doing to help reach our goal.”
Advisee groups, Houses and student organizations have already spearheaded Habitat fundraisers both on campus and in the community, including a car wash, bake sale, French Food Fair, car bash, raffle, discount card sales, dodgeball tournament, flower sales at the winter musical, flea market, live student auction, and chicken biscuit and hot chocolate sales, just to name a few. Darlington also partnered with Longhorn Steakhouse of Rome so that five percent of the profits made on two evenings this fall would be donated to the project.
Middle-Schoolers have joined the effort as well. In lieu of gifts at birthday parties, several students have asked for donations for the Habitat project, raising several hundred dollars on their own.
Additionally, all proceeds from Homecoming and Christmas Dance photos made by RuthAnne Anderson of Action Photos Plus were donated. She has also designated a special section of her Web site, www.actionphotosplus.com, to the Habitat for Humanity fundraiser. These photos of various Darlington events, including the winter musical, were donated by Anderson and Craig Schmidt, history department chairman. All proceeds made from photos in this section through April 1 will be matched by Anderson and donated to the fundraiser. (Note: This offer includes photos of the boys' basketball region championship, found in the sports section of her Web site.)
Students may also sign up for Working for Habitat, a volunteer work program that provides an opportunity to earn money for the fundraiser, as well as community service hours and work experience. “Day students are assigned real jobs in the Rome area with flexible hours, and resident students are given jobs on campus,” said Ali Terrell (’08). “All earnings are donated to Habitat.”
With the entire school on board, students have already raised nearly half of their $50,000 goal, and all agree that the best thing about a school-wide service project is seeing everyone take part and work together for a common goal. Students hope to begin building their Habitat house this spring.
“It’s important to us that the house be built in the South Rome area because it is Darlington’s neighbor,” said Anna Krueger (’07). “We want to reach out and build bridges between the Darlington community and the Rome/Floyd County community to show that Darlington’s spirit does not cease at our front gates.”
Ford Riddle (’07) feels a special connection to South Rome and said he is proud to be a part of this project. “My grandfather and his family lived in South Rome years ago when it was a very prominent part of the city,” he said. “To see that area fall apart is disappointing, especially since it is so close to our school. But instead of standing by and watching it deteriorate, it is important for us to do something. I think our involvement in this project really shows how committed Darlington students are to the Rome community.”
Once the Habitat house has been built, homeowners will be selected by the local Habitat affiliate based on their level of need, their willingness to become partners in the program, and their ability to repay the loan.
“We are very excited to work with Darlington because this is a great project for the students as well as the community as a whole,” said Bruce Day, executive director for Rome/Floyd County Habitat affiliate. “I think Habitat for Humanity is an organization that interests young people because it’s a hands-on opportunity. It’s doing something tangible. Poverty housing is a blatant problem, and this is doing something worthwhile where youth 16 and older can see results.”
Today, Habitat for Humanity has built more than 200,000 houses, sheltering more than 1,000,000 people in more than 3,000 communities worldwide.
“This project is all about service beyond self, an integral part of Darlington’s motto,” said Krueger. “We encourage everyone to get involved in any way they can, even if they are not a part of the Darlington community. If you would like to join in our efforts, please take the initiative and let us know you want to help.”
Parties interested in making a donation to this student-led effort, should send cash or check made payable to Darlington School to the Assistant Headmaster's Office, Darlington School, 1014 Cave Spring Rd., Rome, GA 30161. Please enclose a note specifying that this is a donation to the Habitat for Humanity project. For more information, contact Ben Pate at BPate@darlingtonschool.org or Reba Barnes at RBarnes@darlingtonschool.org.
Students in grades 9-12 have united for a school-wide service project, pledging to raise $50,000 to build a Habitat House in South Rome.
House Senate member Ben Pate (’07) agreed to coordinate the effort under the guidance of Dr. Mark Carleton, assistant headmaster and director of Upper School, and Head of House Reba Barnes. Pate is no stranger to hands-on humanitarian efforts. In the fall of 2005, he was one of 21 Darlington students who spent their spring break assisting the residents of Collins, Miss., in recovering from the destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina.
“For me, the most rewarding part of a project like this is seeing everyone get behind it 100 percent to get it accomplished,” said Pate. “There are so many things that students – both day and boarding – have been doing to help reach our goal.”
Advisee groups, Houses and student organizations have already spearheaded Habitat fundraisers both on campus and in the community, including a car wash, bake sale, French Food Fair, car bash, raffle, discount card sales, dodgeball tournament, flower sales at the winter musical, flea market, live student auction, and chicken biscuit and hot chocolate sales, just to name a few. Darlington also partnered with Longhorn Steakhouse of Rome so that five percent of the profits made on two evenings this fall would be donated to the project.
Middle-Schoolers have joined the effort as well. In lieu of gifts at birthday parties, several students have asked for donations for the Habitat project, raising several hundred dollars on their own.
Additionally, all proceeds from Homecoming and Christmas Dance photos made by RuthAnne Anderson of Action Photos Plus were donated. She has also designated a special section of her Web site, www.actionphotosplus.com, to the Habitat for Humanity fundraiser. These photos of various Darlington events, including the winter musical, were donated by Anderson and Craig Schmidt, history department chairman. All proceeds made from photos in this section through April 1 will be matched by Anderson and donated to the fundraiser. (Note: This offer includes photos of the boys' basketball region championship, found in the sports section of her Web site.)
Students may also sign up for Working for Habitat, a volunteer work program that provides an opportunity to earn money for the fundraiser, as well as community service hours and work experience. “Day students are assigned real jobs in the Rome area with flexible hours, and resident students are given jobs on campus,” said Ali Terrell (’08). “All earnings are donated to Habitat.”
With the entire school on board, students have already raised nearly half of their $50,000 goal, and all agree that the best thing about a school-wide service project is seeing everyone take part and work together for a common goal. Students hope to begin building their Habitat house this spring.
“It’s important to us that the house be built in the South Rome area because it is Darlington’s neighbor,” said Anna Krueger (’07). “We want to reach out and build bridges between the Darlington community and the Rome/Floyd County community to show that Darlington’s spirit does not cease at our front gates.”
Ford Riddle (’07) feels a special connection to South Rome and said he is proud to be a part of this project. “My grandfather and his family lived in South Rome years ago when it was a very prominent part of the city,” he said. “To see that area fall apart is disappointing, especially since it is so close to our school. But instead of standing by and watching it deteriorate, it is important for us to do something. I think our involvement in this project really shows how committed Darlington students are to the Rome community.”
Once the Habitat house has been built, homeowners will be selected by the local Habitat affiliate based on their level of need, their willingness to become partners in the program, and their ability to repay the loan.
“We are very excited to work with Darlington because this is a great project for the students as well as the community as a whole,” said Bruce Day, executive director for Rome/Floyd County Habitat affiliate. “I think Habitat for Humanity is an organization that interests young people because it’s a hands-on opportunity. It’s doing something tangible. Poverty housing is a blatant problem, and this is doing something worthwhile where youth 16 and older can see results.”
Today, Habitat for Humanity has built more than 200,000 houses, sheltering more than 1,000,000 people in more than 3,000 communities worldwide.
“This project is all about service beyond self, an integral part of Darlington’s motto,” said Krueger. “We encourage everyone to get involved in any way they can, even if they are not a part of the Darlington community. If you would like to join in our efforts, please take the initiative and let us know you want to help.”
Parties interested in making a donation to this student-led effort, should send cash or check made payable to Darlington School to the Assistant Headmaster's Office, Darlington School, 1014 Cave Spring Rd., Rome, GA 30161. Please enclose a note specifying that this is a donation to the Habitat for Humanity project. For more information, contact Ben Pate at BPate@darlingtonschool.org or Reba Barnes at RBarnes@darlingtonschool.org.
