IU’s chapter of Habitat for Humanity is known for its work building homes throughout the Bloomington community, but the group has something a little different planned for Saturday.
Habitat for Humanity will build a life-sized gingerbread house in Dunn Meadow as a part of their Houses for Houses event to raise money and awareness for their cause. Larger than many dorm rooms, the 20-by-12 house will stay in Dunn Meadow for a week to be used by Habitat for Humanity and other IU clubs and organizations.
“We’re trying to create a spectacle,” Habitat’s Marketing Director Marlo Owczarzak said. “We want to do something big to get people talking about Habitat. It is also an educational opportunity to learn.”
The house will be assembled Friday night, and Habitat for Humanity will have the Houses for Houses event from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday. At the event, IU students and Bloomington families are invited to donate $5 for the opportunity to decorate the house with frosting and candy.
The event will also feature live music, a visit from Santa and the sale of scarves created and donated by Bloomington community members. Hot chocolate and coffee will also be available for purchase.
“The event is for kids who want to do something fun, but also it is super fun for college-age students, too,” Owczarzak said.
Hailey Goodwin, an IU Habitat for Humanity member who volunteered for Houses for Houses last year, is helping with marketing this year. She said the event is a great way to build community between Bloomington and the IU campus.
Goodwin also said the construction of the gingerbread house shows the challenges, especially the cost, of building a new house.
Goodwin said the group plans to hold an auction at Houses for Houses for things like windows to show attendees the expenses behind building a new house.
The money raised at Houses for Houses will go directly toward building a new house in the Bloomington community.
Owczarzak said the money they raised from last year’s Houses for Houses event is being used for a house in Bloomington that is currently under construction.
This year Habitat hopes to raise anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000 as a part of its annual chapter goal of $35,000, Owczarzak said.
IU’s chapter of Habitat for Humanity will also start a campaign on Giving Tuesday, Nov. 29, to raise funds for their organization.
Owczarzak said Houses for Houses is ultimately about advocacy of Habitat’s mission, showing what they have accomplished as a chapter and building a sustainable relationship within the community.
