"This is a great opportunity to get involved and help someone," she says. "And what else would I be doing on a Saturday morning, besides sleeping?"

Habitat for Humanity is an international organization that builds homes for low-income families. Other than the electrical and plumbing work, volunteers provide the muscle and sweat to build the house, which is then sold to a qualified buyer for a lower price than for a comparable home on the market. WSU's chapter was chartered in the fall of 1995 and has sent volunteers to sites in Greene and Montgomery Counties. "We try to schedule a work day every other weekend," says Matt Garay, a senior human factors engineering major and club president. "It hasn't been hard to get volunteers - we have a phone list of over 100 students."

Because the home buyers are required to contribute 500 hours of "sweat equity" to the construction of their and other Habitat homes, volunteers get the chance to work alongside those they are helping. "They are all very appreciative, which makes it even more rewarding," adds Garay.

Garay became interested in starting a WSU Habitat Chapter after participating in a Spring Break Alternative trip in 1995, sponsored by the Campus Ministry Center. Eleven WSU students traveled to Florida to help rebuild after Hurricane Andrew devastated the area.

"It was a great experience,"he says. "Instead of partying every night, we worked on several houses and helped with an after school program and a soup kitchen."

Last year's spring break alternative took students to West Virginia, and a work project in Alabama is planned for the 1997 spring break.

Another member of that first alternative spring break trip is Brad Platzer, a junior communications major and fundraising chair for the club.

"It was the first time I had ever experienced anything like that. I met all types of people,"he says. "I'm glad I stuck with the group, and I'm excited to see how the club has grown."Platzer spearheads fundraising efforts that help buy construction materials and subsidize the spring break trips. Last year, a raffle that featured items autographed by several celebrities - such as Richard Petty, Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks, and Robert Redford- raised $300.

Garay says he hopes to get other groups from the Wright State community involved as well, especially alumni. "We're not just for students. Anyone who is interested should call the Campus Ministry Center. We'd be glad to have them."

For more information about volunteering, interested persons can contact Bev Jenkins, Campus Ministry Center, at 426-1836.