Volunteers were up to their knees in soil and sod as they worked alongside two of Tallahassee’s most influential leaders.
A rare partnership formed Friday between the city’s two universities as President Ammons and Florida State President Eric Barron joined forces to build a home for a Tallahassee citizen in need.
This project was a part of the “Historic Habitat for Humanity Tallahassee Co-Build” designed to bring the universities together for a charitable cause. Lateshee Daniels, the woman receiving the new house, was inspired by the partnership. “It feels great to see them working together,” said Daniels, in a statement released to FAMU.
The project included Ammons, Provost Cynthia Hughes-Harris, FAMU Habitat for Humanity adviser Phyllis Reaves and nearly 20 students, who worked on the construction of Daniel’s home.
According to the Big Bend chapter of the Habitat for Humanity, the organization seeks to combat homelessness and construct decent shelter. They released a statement saying, “Habitat invites people from all walks of life to work together in partnership to help build houses with families in need.”
Reeves stressed the importance of executing the organization’s overall vision and their individual commitments.
“It was important to come out to not only complete the house we’ve committed to build, but to complete our mission with Habitat for Humanity,” Reeves said. “It warms our heart to see that Ammons is just as active of a participant as we have been in the past. It is good to know that we have his support in all of our efforts. It is really just a blessing to have such a supportive administrator.”
No construction experience is necessary to volunteer for Habitat for Humanity and there are several alternative parts to be played. Interested volunteers can help select families who need houses, organize fund-raising events, arrange meals at the work site and work with surrounding communities to facilitate construction.
To register, visit habitally.org and click the volunteer registration page.