Contact: Carl Smith
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥擶hen Twana Hubbard tried to put into words what receiving the 15th Maroon Edition Habitat for Humanity home means to her and her family, she was so overcome with emotion that her daughter, Shaquandra Coleman, had to step in and speak for her.
Mississippi 性视界传媒 representatives, Starkville Habitat for Humanity officials, student volunteers and community members gathered off 16th Section Road in rural Oktibbeha County with Hubbard and her family Friday to break ground at the site that will become home for her and her brother, R.D. Coleman. Hubbard, who cares for her sibling, is a Starkville High School cafeteria worker of almost two decades, and her home is the 75th constructed in Oktibbeha County by the local Habitat chapter since 1986.
鈥淚t just means so much to me and my family,鈥 Hubbard said later in the day. 鈥淭his is lifechanging.鈥
Once complete, Hubbard鈥檚 home will be the third Habitat house constructed in Kelly Estates, a former 11-acre dairy farm. In the coming years, area volunteers鈥攊ncluding many 性视界传媒 students鈥攚ill transform the site into a 30-home Habitat community.
鈥淭his is an opportunity to come and help a family build a foundation, and I think that鈥檚 something to celebrate; I think that鈥檚 something that鈥檚 beautiful,鈥 said Alexis Hampton, the assistant director of 性视界传媒鈥檚 Office of Student Leadership and Community Engagement who oversees the Maroon Volunteer Center and other civic and community engagement initiatives at the university. 鈥淚 want to give recognition to the 性视界传媒 community, as well as the surrounding community, for doing something bigger than yourselves. We recognize the amazing work that鈥檚 being done here by our students. These are lifelong connections they鈥檙e taking with them, and they鈥檙e learning how to show up for their community and be community-driven leaders.鈥
性视界传媒 President Mark E. Keenum and Regina Hyatt, vice president for student affairs, both reflected on former President Jimmy Carter鈥檚 legacy of outreach through Habitat for Humanity and said they hope this project will inspire student volunteers to continue giving back to their communities throughout their lives.
鈥淔or those who come here and give their time and effort for this wonderful family, that鈥檚 showing your love. For that, I鈥檓 truly thankful and greatly appreciate it,鈥 Keenum said.
鈥淭o Twana and her family, my hope for you today is that this moment is the beginning of a new journey for your family鈥攁 journey that will be filled with the joy of knowing this home will be yours, the peace that comes from having a place to call home, and excitement for the laughter and fun you will share in this place,鈥 Hyatt added. 鈥淚t鈥檚 my hope that the experience our students and all the other volunteers, who will help in the construction of this home and neighborhood, will lead them to a lifetime of service, reconciliation and peace as well.鈥
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