SMU Habitat for Humanity and Highland Park United Methodist Church’s joint Habitat project, “Building off the Boulevard,” came to a joyful close as the Macias family was presented with a new home at a dedication ceremony Sunday.
“Seeing the family’s reaction made our hard work and days in the rain all worth while,” BOTB chairperson Jamie Corley said.
Nearly three years ago, the Macias’ home burned down in a flash fire, killing David and Angela Macias and leaving their four children orphaned.
Melinda Russ learned of the tragedy and immediately began seeking help for the Macias children.
“[Russ] was joined by attorney Andrea Winters, working pro bono, to wade through the red tape of probate courts, insurance companies, estate administration, establishing a trust [fund] for the children, clearing the way for the grandparents’ immigration and residency in the U.S. and, finally, connecting [with] Habitat for Humanity through Carpenters for Christ – at HPUMC,” according to a letter circulated within the church.
Because of the legal battle, Carpenters for Christ was unable to begin construction sooner, said Jane Parker, volunteer coordinator for Carpenters for Christ.
In the past, the event was known as “Home on the Lawn,” and the home was built on a platform so it could be transported to the location upon completion.
As suggested by the name change, the home was constructed onsite.
It was built on the property where the family’s previous home once stood, which allowed the children to continue living next door to relatives.
Building onsite changed the dynamics of the build, because the students saw the family’s neighborhood and could more fully appreciate the family’s situation, Parker said.
Before the build was open to volunteers, Professor Ted Dumas and about 20 engineering students worked to prepare the site all day Feb. 4.
Approximately 150 SMU students volunteered, and that number would have been higher if inclement weather hadn’t caused three shifts, as well as Midnight Blitz, to be cancelled.
“Habitat limited participation to five members of a group [sorority, organization, etc.] per shift to promote the diversity of our volunteer groups,” Corley said. However, enforcement of this rule was unnecessary.
Jeff Kacergis, a senior who volunteered, said, “I think SMU is full of very talented and caring students, and Habitat is another avenue for them to show how altruistic they really are.”
SMU Habitat for Humanity is working to regain its charter but is “currently under the big community service umbrella, SPARC,” said Whitney Harding, president of SMU Habitat for Humanity.
SPARC, a chartered organization, stands for Students Promoting Awareness, Responsibility & Citizenship.
It sponsored SMU Habitat’s involvement in the build.
Since 2001, SMU Habitat has joined efforts with HPUMC’s Carpenters for Christ to participate in an annual building project.
This marks the completion of the fifth Habitat home for SMU and the 41st for HPUMC.
“We have a commitment of 100 homes to Dallas Habitat,” Parker said. “This makes us the largest faith-based sponsor of Habitat homes in the world.”
Carpenters for Christ currently completes about six houses per year, according to its Web site.
“We want to enrich students’ lives and bring up the community. It has a ripple effect,” Parker said.
SMU Habitat hopes to be involved in more builds in the near future, but until then there are opportunities to volunteer alongside with the HPUMC neighbors.
Carpenters for Christ encourages students who missed out on contributing to the Macias’ Habitat home or those would like to volunteer again to visit its Web site at www.hpumc-cfc.org.
