Meredith College Habitat Chapter

Founded in 2006, the Meredith College Habitat for Humanity Chapter is working deligently on the chapter's first goal: raise $75,000 to fully sponsor a Habitat home in Wake County.

Planning has included three creative fundraisers:

Until the funding is raised (at $30,000, the Chapter may be able to plan a groundbreaking) and until Habitat Wake pairs the sponsoring Chapter with a homeowner family, the young women are volunteering to construct other homes. In addition, the collegians tutor some children of Habitat homeowners.

For more information on the Chapter's events and progress (as well as to order a birdhouse), please contact, mchabitat@meredith.edu or visit the Chapter website.

House Sponsorship Kick-Off













On October 4, 2007, the collegians hosted a rally on campus to raise awareness of the need for affordable housing. The kick-off consisted of three parts: a Box-a-thon from noon until midnight, a “Bricks for Bucks” fundraiser from 1 p.m. until midnight, and a 6 p.m. ceremony featuring representatives from Meredith and Habitat for Humanity of Wake County.

During this 11-hour fundraiser, more than 200 Meredith First Year Experience (FYE) students each spent one hour decorating doorstop bricks.

The Meredith Chapter challenged students "living" in the boxes to raise $100. These groups participated: Class of 2010, the Meredith International Association, Meredith Christian Association, White Iris Circle, Meredith Entertainment Association, Phi Delta Phi, the Student Social Work Association, Meredith Association for Families and Children, the Meredith Recreation Association, and a faculty/staff team.

Students Drive in Nails as part of Meredith’s new Habitat Club

By Heather Blackwood, Meredith College ’07

Throughout the community, Meredith students have pushed up their sleeves and gotten dirt under their fingernails, all for the cause of doing something good for others. Meredith’s Service Council called for available students to work at a Habitat for Humanity site on Saturday, January 27, 2008, and students jumped into action as part of an effort to start an Habitat club on campus.

The Habitat service opportunity required no previous experience, just the willingness and enthusiasm to participate. However, several students had previously either volunteered for similar projects or worked with Habitat.

Hayley McPhail '09 has a passion to help others who deserve a helping hand. She spearheaded a campaign to organize a Habitat for Humanity club on campus in order to, one day, get Meredith its own chapter.

Building upon her own experience on a Habitat trip, McPhail wanted others to see her enthusiasm and devotion to this special cause.

During the January 27 workday, student volunteers picked up the sheetrock, the nails and hammers and started swinging away.

The experience Meredith’s volunteers had is something they say will remain with them for a long time. These students helped build a home for a deserving family.

After seeing the gratitude on the homeowner’s face, volunteers realized their hard work paid off and made them consider volunteering again.

Meredith offers opportunities to travel to sites in the Southeast to work on Habitat houses. However, these trips are designated for school breaks when many students have other plans. McPhail wants to see more workdays scheduled so more students have the chance to participate.

McPhail says that since its creation the club has been well accepted throughout the Meredith community. She thinks students should find one thing they enjoy doing that makes a difference and volunteer in whichever capacity available to display that excitement.

Royal Bean $4 Per Bag Fundraiser

Royal Bean Coffee House & Gathering Space donated $4 for each 1 lb. of coffee purchased between November 1, 2007 and January 31, 2008. The creative benefit shopping idea raised $448. This Hillsborough Street coffeehouse, owned and operated by a Meredith alumnae, is across from Meredith College in Raleigh. Art from Meredith students adorns the walls.