Mercer University Habitat

History of the Mercer Chapter

With the establishment of the Campus Chapters and Youth Programs Division of Habitat for Humanity International, an avenue opened for students to participate in fundraising and house building through school organizations. Seeing a need to address substandard housing around campus, Mercer's chapter of Habitat for Humanity held its first meetings in 1992, becoming one of more than 800 campus chapters worldwide (as of 2006). The Mercer chapter finished its first house during the 1996-1997 school year and has built houses almost every year since. The chapter has built a total of seven houses, making it one of the more active campus chapters in the nation when measured by houses built per year.

Former Mercer president R. Kirby Godsey started the tradition of giving the Mercer chapter a significant donation while letting the chapter begin fundraising for the rest of the amount. With donations from the university, local churches, and our own fundraising initiatives, the Mercer chapter has worked closely with Macon Area Habitat for Humanity to make a significant dent in poverty housing in Macon.

Mercer Habitat for Humanity 2006-2007

This year, the Mercer Chapter will cooperate even more closely with our local affiliate, Macon Area Habitat, in its efforts to revitalize Lynmore Estates. According to Macon Area Habitat, this neighborhood has about 435 homes, roughly 28% of which are abandoned. It is a worthwhile endeavor for our community to cooperate alongside Macon Area to restore the neighborhood's dignity by providing better yet affordable housing to the families that call Lynmore Estates home.

This year will mark a fresh start for Mercer Habitat as we reorganize and concentrate on educating the campus about poverty, as well as providing financial and physical support for builds in Lynmore Estates. A core of interested students will provide innovative leadership for the chapter as we rethink our mission. Students at Mercer have always responded
generously with their time to assist on builds.

Watch this space for more news!



If you are interested in being part of the Mercer chapter, please contact the the faculty advisor, Dr. Lewis at lewis_pa@mercer.edu

Upcoming Events:

TBA

The Mercer Alpha Tau Omega Car Show

The members of Alpha Tau Omega have made the ATO Charity Car Show their main philanthropy to raise money for Habitat for Humanity. In addition to raising money, their goal is to host a safe and fun activity for the Macon, surrounding community and our members. The Mercer chapter has put over 200 hours into making the car show a success. On Saturday, August 1st, they will host the car show at The Shoppes at River Crossings from 4:00pm-8pm. ATO will offer concessions and music.

The car show will continue as their main fall philanthropy. We are looking forward to this year and hope you are too!

~Charles Schenck, the philanthropy chair for ATO