Video: Habitat for Humanity Constructing Maroon Edition Home on Murdock St.

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STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) — Another maroon edition Habitat for Humanity house is being built, this one on Murdock Street in Starkville.

With shovels in hand, dirt is turned for another groundbreaking. Habitat is partnering with the university and MSU’s Kappa Sigma fraternity, which is donating $20,000 to this year’s annual project. MSU President Mark Keenum was on hand to help new homeowner Angela Lindsey and her children drive the traditional first nails into the construction of the home.

For Lindsey, her new home is a dream come true.

“Last year I tried and it did not go through,” Lindsey said. “But this year I was picked. This is the greatest thing that ever happen. Yes sir, it has. It’s great.”

That groundbreaking was for the 6th Maroon Edition Habitat for Humanity low-income house that’s being built by students, faculty, and staff volunteers.

FROM MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY
STARKVILLE, Miss.–Mississippi State and Starkville area Habitat for Humanity volunteers and officials broke ground Monday [Aug. 11] for the sixth annual Maroon Edition Habitat for Humanity project.

A service-learning component of the university’s Maroon Edition First-Year Reading Experience, the house will benefit a local working mother and her four children.

Angela Lindsey, who is employed at McDonalds, said she and her children, ages 10, 12, 15 and 17, are excited to be chosen to benefit from this year’s project. The family will be relocating from a two-bedroom residence to a four-bedroom, two-bath home when it is completed and dedicated during the fall semester.

MSU President Mark E. Keenum continued a tradition by driving the first construction nail. He also presented a $5,000 check from the Office of the President to the Habitat organization.

Keenum said the annual project gives students the opportunity to experience “the blessing of helping and serving others.” He specifically commended the Kappa Sigma social fraternity chapter for its dedication to helping fund the Maroon Edition project.

For the fifth consecutive year, the Greek-letter organization donated $20,000.

Keenum said that the Habitat project is especially meaningful as students reflect on this year’s Maroon Edition book selection. “Invisible Girls” by Sarah Thebarge is the memoir of a young woman whose life was changed when she reached out to help a family in need.

Through the annual Maroon Edition program, all entering freshmen are encouraged to read in preparation for campus-wide discussions and related events taking place during the fall semester.

“It is wonderful for our students, faculty, staff and administrators to give to others who want to improve their lives,” Keenum said, adding that the Lindsey family’s new home will be a blessing for many years to come.

Lindsey and each of her children individually expressed appreciation to those involved in the effort. Lindsey said she thanks God, President Keenum, MSU, the Habitat for Humanity family and “last, but not least, my family.”

“I’m excited because my mom is happy; we have enough room for all of us,” said her 15-year-old daughter, Cedrianna Tate.

MSU student volunteers will work on the house at 84 Murdock Lane each Friday and Saturday throughout the fall semester. The university’s Maroon Volunteer Center coordinates the volunteer efforts.

“Many students will work many hours, along with Angela and her family,” said Danny Setaro, Starkville Area Habitat for Humanity board president.

Also during the program, Habitat board member Dan Whatley, an MSU facilities management staff member and campus Greek-organization alumnus, announced that, in addition to the Maroon Edition project, the university’s Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life is making plans to fund and build another Habitat for Humanity home for a Starkville family during the spring semester.