If you are involved in Habitat, I am sure that two of the most common things you hear are something to the effect of, "Habitat, that is such a worthwhile organization," or you may hear, "Habitat? Why would you want to be involved in that?" If anyone ever questions why you are involved in Habitat, just tell them that you are involved because of the people.

In my short time at Whitewater, I have been involved in a lot of organizations; the people involved in those other organizations have never come close to the caliber of those involved in Habitat. This organization just has a way to pull out the best in everyone, and I am not just talking about our members. If you are reading this article right now because you donated something to our organization, you are as much a part of us as the members are, and you are part of the reason why I am so involved in Habitat today. It is great to be involved in an organization where the businesses and community member’s in the area are so open and willing to help. When we did our raffle a few weeks back, there was very few area business that turned down requests. Also when we did our Hire-A-Habitater Fundraiser, there was such a response from the community that we could barely fill all the jobs. It is because of all of the people and business like you, that I am still a part of this organization.

Although the business and community members are very important, we could not do what we do without our members. Habitat members are the most caring and helpful people that I know. They are always willing to put what they are doing aside, to help the better cause of what Habitat hopes to achieve. I just want to thank all of the students who have been involved in Habitat this year. Without you we, would not have been able to do all of the events that we have done like the Shack Sleep out, Comedy Sportz, or our Work Days.

I began the first meeting of the semester by talking about the people in Habitat and the relationships that are built. After another year, I would like to say that all of what I said then rings true today. Just ask any of the students who went to Spring Break in Oklahoma City in April. There is not a single person who would say that they did not build a new relationship with someone. And those relationships that were built stay for life.

That is the beauty of Habitat. By doing something to help others, you truly benefit yourself. If you have been a Habitat supporter in the past, please do not forget us next year. If you are a student who was involved this year we hope to see you back again to help in the fall. And if you once were involved in Habitat but have not done a lot recently, than I invite you to join us next year. The ministry of Habitat only gets bigger and better every year. Have a great summer, and we will see each other in the fall. Habitat, Oh Yeah!!!

-Brian Shotola

Habitat President

Founded in 1976, Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit organization that works in partnership with people in need to build and renovate simple, decent, and affordable housing. Millard Fuller, the founder of Habitat, described a house as being much more than a physical structure that protects you from the weather. It is a place where families live and love and where memories are created that last a lifetime.

On Super Bowl Sunday, UW-Whitewater’s campus chapter of Habitat for Humanity held its 2^nd annual "Souper Bowl" fundraiser. Members from the Whitewater community gathered at St. Patrick’s of Whitewater to enjoy delicious soup donated by Lake Lawn Resort in Delavan. The soup was served in unique clay bowls that were handcrafted by local students. Those who attended took their bowls home as a reminder of their donation to such a great cause. With the generous donations of area businesses and those

who attended, we were able to build a house for family in Whitewater. Now that our financial goal is within reach, our next obstacle is searching for land

on which a home can be built, hope can be restored, and lives can be changed.

UW-Whitewater’s Campus Chapter of Habitat for Humanity would like to extend special thank you to the following who made our fundraiser a success: Center super Valu, McDonald’s of Whitewater, Lake Lawn Resort of Delevan, Pick ‘n Save of Lake Geneva, the students of Jean Buckingham’s fourth grade class at Lincoln Elementary, Doug Steger’s classes at Craig High School in Janesville, and John Clark and the Student Council of Whitewater Middle School for their generous $100 donation. If you have any questions or would like to make a donation to our chapter, please contact Brain Zanin at the Campus Ministry Center at 473-5555.

-Jill Hafenstein and Jenny Tomczak

Work Day Coordinator – Treasurer

Spring Break is a great time of the year. It is a time to get away from homework, friends, work, family, roommates, and anything else that might be bothering you. It allows you to venture out, meet new people, explore a new place, and even learn something about how to build a house. About twenty-eight people joined me in driving down to Oklahoma City and helped them get one step closer to building two new houses for two families. It was great to see the houses go from a concrete slab to an actual structure. The teamwork and attitude of our group was enthusiastic, I could not have wished for a better group. It was great to work with the affiliate there; they were extremely helpful, organized, and a lot of fun to be around. This is my third Spring Break and although I never thought there would be one that would top the first one I went on, I think this one just did. I was sad to see the weekend, but then I look back on everything we just accomplished and smile. For I know that the hard work we put in, helped them out, and helped the homeowners out more than we will ever know. I want to thank everyone for putting up with me and for helping me out in every way. Without everyone’s help, the Spring Break would have never been as successful and fun as it was. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know everyone and am glad that I got the opportunity to do so. There are a lot of memories I will hold dear in my heart and I hope you all do the same.

Spring Break Coordinator

If there is one thing that I came off of the Habitat Spring Break trip with, it was a whole lot of new friends. As a freshman I had no idea what to expect. I just decided to go with the flow and see what this trip had to offer me.. Sure, it was awkward at first because I didn’t have any friends on the trip. However, within a period of thirty-six hours, that all changed. We got to know each other and after a while we were calling people by name rather than "hey you in the green shirt". If there were one moment that could highlight the entire week for me, I would have to say Tuesday, the day that the first wall went up on our house. The teamwork that was used was the best I have ever experienced. It was gratifying to know I participated in the building of this house. I wouldn’t trade this experience for much of anything.

Well, maybe for another trip to Zio’s and Whataburger, but that’s another story for another day.

I will treasure the memories forever and will never forget any of you.

-Benda Kohut

Habitat member

Spring Break is traditionally a time for students to get away from life and submerse themselves into something new and exciting. UW-Whitewater’s chapter is all about tradition. This year, roughly thirty students traveled to Oklahoma City to build houses for families whose incomes fall below the poverty line. I went with this group, and will never be sorry I did. I solified some existing friendships and made many new ones that will probably last as long as the memories. I was fortunate enough to have been able to visit the Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial, and was not the only visitor moved to the compassion that still runs through the entire block where the incident took place. A skeptic might ask how this trip could afford a student chance to escape daily like and how building houses without pay could be new and exciting. I don’t respond to skeptics. I will say this, however: In a world where the words "I, me and mine" are spoken with the regularity and reverence of whatever song is on the top of the Rick Dee’s charts this week by people everywhere, to know that some people still live in a world where "we, us, and ours" are not as dead as Latin, and to be a part of such a group for a week is getting away from the everyday grind. Newness and excitement exist wherever a person brings such an attitude, and for anyone curious in this article or group, or interested in perhaps learning how to make everyday new and exciting, I strongly suggest getting involved with Habitat for Humanity or a similar charitable organization. The time spent is not easy, but neither is getting good tickets to Miller Park. As bad as the Brewers are this year, although I still cheer loudly (Go Brewers!!!), I feel safe in saying there is no way I could feel like a winner in Miller Park the way I did in Oklahoma City. And I know about 30 or so fellow students and friends who would say the same thing. Next fall, remember the other "home team." You’ll be glad you did. Green bean saying "Ten Four good buddy."

-Steven Shelton

If there’s one more thing I’m learning in college, it’s that generally, professors, love Habitat for Humanity. Throughout my college career, I have used Habitat in quite a few class projects and papers. Many times, I had been thinking about turning Habitat into a project but wasn’t quite sure if it would work…that is until I would talk to my professor about it, and more often then not he/she actually encouraged it!

Freshman Speech class-110, I persuaded the class to consider an alternate spring break program (i.e. HFH Collegiate Challenge). I was worried about choosing that since my good friend Christy also wanted to speak on Habitat. But our professor encouraged the both of us to go ahead. So Christy persuaded the class to go on a Saturday work trip, and I persuaded spring break.

I’ve used Habitat in a group project for Psychology in which the objective was to solve a major living and social crisis from a book we read. In Intercultural Communications, I presented one of my Spring Break trips as one of my cross-cultural experiences. Once, I believe I even wrote a Spanish paper about Habitat. And just last semester I did a group project for my Persuasion class-we looked at the organization from the Symbolist Perspective (like you need to know the details, but you see where I’m going with this…).

So don’t be bashful about the possibility of choosing to write or speak about Habitat for a project. Most profs encourage it. It spreads Habitat Awareness, and it gives you a chance to spread your own personal Habitat story. Besides, wouldn’t you like to work on something for a class that actually interests you for a change? Or at least something you know quite a bit about and are passionate about? It makes a boring project seem not so boring. And you know there are always tons of visual aids-pictures, pamphlets, posters, t-shirts, tool belts…you get the picture. And you also know exactly where to find their huge international website. So pick up your tool belt and get to work!

-Karen B. Kysely

Did you know that Habitat shares the core values of Development Economics? In the standard economists textbook used in England and Whitewater Michael Todako reports the three core values of Economic Development are sustenance, self-esteem, and freedom. Habitat works towards all three. Habitat helps families to meet the basic needs of life, simple, decent housing, the first value.

Our work also raises self-esteem for the homeowner and volunteers. I know I felt tremendous raising walls during the recent spring break trip in Oklahoma City. Habitat raises self worth. Finally Habitat promotes freedom. Living in a stable environment opens a range of options for families; the freedom to enjoy neighbors, to feel personally secure and free to develop fuller life. As a volunteer, Habitat allows me the freedom to escape from my worries and focus my energy on physical rather intellectual work.

In short, Habitat promotes sustenance, self esteem, and freedom for all involved, the core values of economic development. Perhaps you didn’t realize that Habitat volunteers are practing development economists.

Affiliate Liaison

Although the end of the year is near, don’t miss your opportunity to support Habitat through our end of the year fundraising events!!!

• Car Wash on May 5^th, 10:00am –3:00pm at Wal-Mart’s parking lot
• Jammin’ for Humanity featuring The Pipe Circus on May 9^th, Hamilton Center, bring student ID, beer garden also included

On behalf of the UW-Whitewater Student Chapter, I would like to thank everyone who has donated, volunteered, or in any way helped out at all. Thanks to Craig Foelker, Jim Godin, Howard and Betty Goodman, Betty Frawley, Beth Lueck, Best Western, Culver’s, Belmont Casino, Holiday Inn Express, Humphrey’s Floral and Gift, Lucky’s D’s, UW-Rec Center, UW-Bookstore, Chi Chi’s, Hampton Inn, Hoffman House, Theatres of Whitewater, McCullough’s, Hawk Bowl, Trek Corporation, Jessica’s Restaurant, Touch of the Sun, Howard Meiklein, Gilbertson’s Stained Glass Stud, Froemming Flowers, Frosty’s, Stephen’s Designs, LTD., Farm and Fleet, Richard Pyter, Eileen Schroeder, Dr. Richard Brooks, Lynn Shoemaker, Peter Jacobs, Jim and Rosemary Leaver, Dolores Heilmeir, Marcia Pulich, Ed and Kay Drexler, Donald and Mary Berg, Stephen Summers, Richard and Veronica Tefler, Meg Waraczynski, Marguerite C. Olenski, Richard Dunham, Harriet Flood, Evie Miller, James Bronson, Kim Macur, Peter Hoff, Ronald Crabb, Dorothea Weiss, and Marilyn Lavin

We would like to send out a special thank you to Dorthy Keefe who made a $200 donation in memory of her past husband John Keefe.