Video: Illinois Students Sacrifice Spring Break to Help Starkville Family

[bitsontherun 0zw8KowT]STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)- Demetra Petty and her son Christopher are out with their hammers and paint, investing sweat equity in their new home; and they’re not alone. 25 students and staff from Rockford College in Illinois are pitching in.

“It has been a struggle. Me and my children, we’ve always lived in a mobile home. And for it to be our first time actually moving into a steadier home, especially through habitat, it’s such a blessing.” said Petty.

The students sacrificed their spring break and traveled more than 700 miles to help build Demetria’s new home.

” The kids get really excited, we start counting down before we leave. They could be doing a lot of other stuff this week and they choose to come down here and work 8 hours a day,” said Advisor Matt Adams.

Students say they don’t mind giving up the beaches and the swimsuits for hammers and nails to help out a family in need.

Christina Bartholomew says every student should take advantage of this opportunity.

“I was thinking of something to do and I said, you know what..let’s do it! You’re sacrificing your spring break but you’re doing it for a really good cause. Everyday, getting up i’m like yes! I get to help out a family! I’ve never done something like this before and it means a lot to me.

And it means a great deal to Petty as well.

“They actually took their time this while week to come and help me with my children and help me build our future home and we’re so excited,” said Petty.

Petty says the house should be completed sometime in June.

 

Categories: Local News

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