Student Build House During Spring Break

Alabama Beach Some university students are building a real house instead of sand castles this Spring Break.

by Debbie Williams

Published: Mon, March 17, 2008 - 2:27 pm CST Last Updated: Mon, July 28, 2008 - 9:12 pm CST

Spring Break is in it's second big week all along the Gulf Coast and while the beaches are crowded, there's an alternative Spring Break that is building memories of a different kind in Baldwin County.
While most spring breakers are headed to the beach, a group from the University of Illinois and the University of Wisconsin are building something more substantial than a sand castle.
"It's a lot of fun so far." This is Allison Hills first experience with Habitat for Humanity. "You feel a lot better doing something worthy and helping out rather than going and spending a bunch of money and wasting a couple of day and you still get the nice weather here so it's awesome," says the University of Wisconsin student.
In just a matter of hours, 80 spring breakers have gone from just a foundation to something that looks a lot like a house. "That's all it was just a slab of concrete." For Danielle Gaskin this is the beginning of a dream come true. "It is truly a blessing habitat itself is truly a blessing because I really don't think I'd be a homeowner without habitat."
"I see her looking all over just watching us work," says Hill, "and you can just tell it in her face that she's really grateful."
It means almost as much to the college kids, especially Rich Pasquesi from the University of Illinois. "It's one thing to go on a spring break and have a good time with your friends and do whatever normal spring break. It's another to come back here in 20 years and say hey that was my spring break say that to your kids and your family. To be able to ride by this house in however many years and say I built that with a bunch of my friends is far more rewarding."
It's not all work and no play for the students. They get off work around three o'clock in the afternoon and are able to get to the beach and other tourist attractions in the area.

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