The new Habitat for Humanity of University of Memphis is holding its first fund-raiser - a dodge ball tournament Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The tournament is a "creative method in getting students involved," said Steve Fox, vice president of Habitat for the Humanity of University of Memphis Chapter. Teams must consist of at least six members and there is an entry fee of $25 per team.
The proceeds for the fund-raiser will go to The U of M chapter and its efforts to support Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis, said Andrew Reese, graduate assistant of community service in the Office of Student Activities.
The money will buy tools for U of M students to use as they help build the homes and for the use of the local affiliate.
Fox said the idea to start a U of M Habitat for Humanity chapter came after a group of students went on an Alternative Spring Break trip, which is sponsored by the Office of Student Activities. The trip consisted of building homes in the Highpoint area of North Carolina.
Jan Salcedo, undergraduate student and Habitat for Humanities of University of Memphis member, said he was glad he went on the ASB trip.
"I've always wanted to do volunteer work," Salcedo said. "Helping those in need is something that I've always enjoyed. I saw ASB as an opportunity to not only meet new people, but to help those in need as well.
"It gave me a great feeling of satisfaction knowing that (the group) helped make a difference in a family's life," Salcedo said. "At the same time, it was a little bit disappointing knowing that we wouldn't be there to see the end result of what we began building.
"I guess this was one of the reasons we wanted to try starting a chapter here at The U of M. That way we could finish what we started."
The students built several houses with the North Carolina Habitat for Humanity affiliate, Fox said.
"The project helped unfortunate people, but it also helped the students learn about themselves," said senior and president of Habitat for Humanity of University of Memphis Lydia Gillis.
"As the week progressed we discovered our own talents," Gillis said.
In the LeMoyne-Owen area, The U of M chapter built several houses with the Habitat for Humanity of The University of Memphis for about three months.
