IU Habitat for Humanity to give spring break new meaning

Some students with service on their minds will be spending spring break in warm weather, helping those in need. Each spring, the IU chapter of Habitat for Humanity takes trips south in an attempt to make a difference.\n"A group of IU Habitat students decide to forgo the typical college spring break by partnering with families in need to help eliminate poverty housing and create decent, affordable shelter," said Tony Bruno, president of IU Habitat for Humanity. \nBruno said when a house is built, students work side-by-side with the families that will live there once construction is complete. \nThis year, IU Habitat is sending four groups. Two will travel to Florida, one to Georgia and one to West Virginia, said Victoria Abbott-Ozug, who is supervisor of the trips. \n"It's a very bond-forming experience," she said. "Most sites have students from different colleges, so you get to meet other students from other parts of the world." \nHabitat is a nonprofit Christian organization founded in 1976 by Millard Fuller, Bruno said. In its history, Habitat has built more than 200,000 homes in more than 100 countries. At IU, the organization has been present since the late '80s. Currently, it is building a house on the north side of Bloomington that will be dedicated in early March. Recently, IU Habitat had a rake-a-thon to raise money to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. The $7,500 raised was donated to Habitat for Humanity Operation Home Delivery to aid in rebuilding the Gulf Coast.\n"It's a chance to get away, meet new people and have a great time building a house together," said Jessica Donaldson, a board member of IU Habitat, in an e-mail. "It's such a great cause."\nDonaldson said the trips aren't all work. \n"We get one or two days off from building, where we can go to the beach, shop, white-water rafting, whatever the area has to offer," she said. \nBruno said the group has plenty of opportunity to for adventure. \n"We even had a spring breaker who ended up getting a couple of tattoos," he said.\nFor those wishing to get involved, information and deadlines can be found at the new IU Habitat Web site, www.iuhabitat.org. Prices for trips begin at $284, depending on the destination, and include food, lodging, gas, car rental, insurance, Habitat international fees and Habitat affiliate fees. \n"The best part is when you go on the work site and you're with families that will be living there and seeing how hard they're working," Abbott-Ozug said. "You're not building houses, you're building homes. \n"Home is a very special thing"