Students Lend a Hand to Habitat for Humanity Project

Published March 21, 2013

Students from six Williamson County high schools are helping a local family build a brighter future. The students are part of Habitat High, which is affiliated with Habitat for Humanity.

For months, students from Brentwood, Centennial, Franklin, Independence, Ravenwood and Summit high schools have been raising money to purchase building supplies for a new Habitat for Humanity house in Franklin. Construction on the home began in February with students from each school taking turns to pitch in.

"These students have spent numerous hours painting doors, measuring baseboards, caulking, spackling, hauling and sweeping as they literally put a roof over the heads of a local family," said Summit High School Habitat High Club Monitor Deborah Bohn.

Founded in 1976, Habitat for Humanity provides affordable homes to those in need. In addition to a down payment and monthly mortgage payments, homeowners invest hundreds of hours of their own labor into building their Habitat house and the houses of others.

Chase Lutz is the Habitat for Humanity chapter president at Independence High School. He wishes more high school students would get involved in projects like this.

"Being part of Habitat for Humanity is a fun way to serve the community and be part of a school club," said Lutz. "In addition to helping the family in Franklin, the money we've raised will be used to help families internationally."

The house in Franklin was dedicated March 24 and the family moved in the same day.