For the first time ever, the Habitat Campus Chapter at Eastern will join Coles County’s Habitat for Humanity affiliate in the sponsoring and building of a home in Charleston.

Coles County’s Habitat for Humanity has thus far completed 10 houses, said Holly Walters, adviser for the Habitat Campus Chapter. She said they have previously built houses in Charleston, however, Eastern has never been involved in the process.

Habitat for Humanity is an international ecumenical Christian ministry dedicated to eliminating poverty housing. Participants work strictly as volunteers.

Habitat Campus Chapter’s, which began at Eastern in 1994, purpose is to fundraise, raise awareness about inadequate housing issues and to assist in constructing houses for the Christian Ministry, Walters said.

The chapter signed a contract Tuesday signifying the beginning of the building project that will break ground in September, Walters said. The location of the site has yet to be determined.

She said the Newman Catholic Center is currently working to promote the project to staff, faculty and students on campus.

“The title of the project is `The House That EIU Built,'” Walters said. “We want the entire university to get involved with this project.”

Eastern previously contacted the Coles County Habitat affiliate and expressed interest in building a home in Charleston, said Suzie Bruels, president of the Coles County Habitat for Humanity. Bruels said Eastern accumulated the funds needed in order to break ground.

Walters credited the campus chapter board members who envisioned and began working on this project five years ago, even though they knew they may not be around to watch it materialize.

“Those students wanted this to happen, even though they knew they would graduate before it would begin,” she said.

Walters said the campus chapter plans to ask Recognized Student Organizations and other groups on campus to contract with them to be a part of the building project.

“(In contracting with them) we will ask for a monetary donation and a work crew of five volunteers,” Walters said.

She said each group who contracts with the chapter would work a couple of times each semester.

Next year’s Alternative Spring Break program, sponsored by the Newman Catholic Center, will have its habitat site held in Charleston rather than having students assist with one of the construction projects in another state, Walters said.

“Why travel somewhere else when we well be working on a house right here in Charleston,” she said. “If we can get a small crew that would be great.”

Walters said the chapter hopes to have the house completed sometime in April of 2002. Designated work hours for volunteers will be from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. each Saturday after they officially break ground.

“Lunch will be served to all of the volunteers,” she said.

The chapter is hoping to recruit alums over homecoming weekend to aid in the building of the home as well as families to assist over parents week, she said.

Habitat for Humanity Houses built are usually modest two or three bedroom homes, Walters said.

She said the chapter will search for a family, this coming April, to eventually occupy the home.

“The family will be able to choose the floor plans,” Walters said. “The family also helps build the home with the volunteers,” she said.

Bruels said there is also a support family who will mentor the new homeowner of the house.

Walters said the eventual occupants of the home agree on what are called sweat equity hours. These are set hours in which the family agrees to work on the home, she said.

“The home is purchased by the family when it is complete with no interest,” Walters said. “An affiliate of Coles County sets up the mortgage with the family.”

Walters was ecstatic about Eastern’s involvement in the building project.

“I am so proud of the students,” she said. “They have worked their tales off. Everyone will learn a lot.”

Walters said she is hopeful graduating students will spread the word about Habitat for Humanity in whatever community they eventually settle in.

“I think other communities will really benefit from this,” she said.

Bruels emphasized that everyone must understand there are many other aspects involved in the project besides the constructing stage.

“Construction is only a small portion of the project,” Bruels said. “Other abilities are involved to make it all happen. All talents are needed for all of the areas.”

She said everyone must be aware of the various avenues that constitute the building project.

“I think it will be a good public relations for habitat here in Coles County,” Bruels said.

Meals for volunteers will be needed when the project begins, as well as bookkeeping skills and people to help with the paperwork, she said.

Bruels said monetary donations are also now being accepted. The donations will go toward roofing, insulation and other materials the project requires, she said.

“Anything in excess of the housing cost will go toward future habitat projects,” Bruels said.

Donations can be sent to Coles County Habitat for Humanity, P.O. Box 945, Charleston, IL 61920.