Student organization partnering with Bay Area Habitat for Humanity for fun run
Bay Area Habitat for Humanity (BAHFH) is hosting a 5k fun run May 11 at Walter Hall Park. The fun run is a non-competitive event that will raise money for BAHFH. The University of Houston–Clear Lake’s student organization Habitat for Humanity is partnering with BAHFH for this 3.1-mile benefit race.
Although the fun run is not competitive, this run will present awards. All children 12 and under will receive a participation medal and the top ten men and women in the age groups 13-17, 18-30 and 30 plus will receive an award.
All participates will also receive a free t-shirt. After the fun run has been completed there will be an after party. This party will consist of entertainment, food, drinks and raffle prizes.
“Habitat for Humanity is a new student organization who have helped build homes in the surrounding community,” said Marissa Ferguson, environmental management major and a student worker in the Student Involvement and Leadership Office.” Participating in the fun run is a great way to support the local community and learn more about the organization.”
Habitat for Humanity was founded by Millard and Linda Fuller in 1976. This international organization has locations in all 50 states and a goal to provide everyone with a decent place to live. Since being founded, Habitat for Humanity has helped more than 22 million people build or improve their homes. In 2018, the organization helped more than 8.7 million people who needed a home.
“Clean and stable housing provides stability for families and a sense of dignity and pride,” states the BAHFH website.
Bay Area Habitat for Humanity is the only non-profit organization that builds homes with zero percent interest mortgages in the Galveston, Southeast Harris and North Brazoria County area. BAHFH has built a total of 162 homes since the affiliate’s founding in 1991.
“There are approximately 15,400 homeless people and 400,000 people who are living in substandard conditions within bay area Houston,” said Thomas Wiuff, development director at Bay Area Habitat for Humanity.
In 2017 Hurricane Harvey destroyed many homes in the Houston area. With BAHFH being the only non-profit organization that helps rebuild homes in the local area, their services were needed at a mass scale.
“People are still recovering from Hurricane Harvey,” Wiuff said. “Bay Area Habitat has completed 24 home repairs since the hurricane through our Critical Home Repair program with many more waiting for help. The need for repairs and rebuilding due to Hurricane Harvey will probably continue for 1-2 more years; maybe even longer.”
BAHFH has a fundraising goal of $10,000 to help families have a home. Events such as the 5k fun run contribute toward reaching this goal. To participate in the BAHFH 5k fun run there is a $10 entrance fee that goes toward the organization. The entrance fee is non-refundable nor able to be exchanged. Children under 12 participate for free. Pets are allowed to participate; however, they must be kept on a leash at all times.
The BAHFH fun run begins with packet pickup at 8 a.m. at Walter Hall Park, 807 highway3 N, League City, Texas 77537. At 9 a.m. the run begins. The race portion of the event ends at 4 p.m. with an after party located at the main pavilion.
Individuals interested in participating in the fun run and/or donating to Bay Area Habitat for Humanity can visit http://www.bahfh.org/5k-fun-run/ for more information. BAHFH depends on donations to help families build places people can call home. BAHFH also partners with home improvement stores called Habitat ReStores that sell reusable building materials, furniture and appliances to the public. The money received from these sales also goes toward helping build families homes. Individuals interested in donating supplies can visit http://www.bahfh.org/ReStore/.
For more on Habitat for Humanity, check out:
UHCL is set to house the first student chapter for Bay Area Habitat for Humanity
After Hurricane Harvey hit Texas last August 2017, Mehrshad Keivan, a biology major with specialization in pre-health, was having a hard time finding volunteer opportunities while trying to build friendships with people who have the same passion for volunteering.
UHCL’s Habitat for Reading program continues to provide home libraries
University of Houston-Clear Lake’s Habitat for Reading program celebrates its third anniversary this fall, continuing to provide personalized, age-appropriate mini-libraries to children in Habitat for Humanity homes.
Habitat for Reading program empowers children with in-home libraries
Sheila Baker, assistant professor of school library and information science, established the program Fall 2015. The Habitat for Reading program donated more than 700 books and installed libraries in seven Habitat for Humanity homes.
