Twenty students, connected by a desire to help the homeless, set off on a 13-hour-long expedition to Georgetown, S.C., for its 10-day 2013 Alternative Spring Break trip.
The Habitat for Humanity members left Binghamton campus as complete strangers on March 23. As everyone piled into the two vans, legroom was reduced, personal spaces overlapped and personalities meshed.
“The 13-hour drive seemed like nothing because of all the incredible people on the trip,” said Kassy Smykowski, a sophomore double-majoring in English and financial economics. “I’m so grateful to have met and become friends with every one of them. They’re all brilliant rays of knowledge.”
The crew spent the first two days of work restoring a roof. No experience was necessary for the labor, which, for some members, proved to be a crucial factor. Each workday began at 8 a.m. to 35-degree temperatures, and finished at 3 p.m. to 55-degree temperatures. Despite the fickle Binghamton-esque weather conditions, by the end of day two, the roof had been completely re-shingled.
Kevin Mosher, a junior majoring in financial economics, said the opportunity to help other people provided him with a true and lasting happiness.
“It’s something about doing selfless acts that really affects you,” he said.
As much as anything else, the people BU HFH encountered in South Carolina provided some of the best memories. Ophelia, Chick and Chris from Georgetown County Habitat for Humanity welcomed BU HFH with a particular Southern charm that reminded the group how far they were from New York. On one occasion, lunch was provided by two elderly South Carolinian women who not only could cook, but also were bona fide grandmother-of-the-year material.
“Year after year, it seems as though the people we encounter on our travels happen to be some of the most generous, accommodating and pleasant people you will ever meet. South Carolina did not disappoint,” said Joe Garrant, the treasurer of BU HFH and a junior majoring in financial economics. “These people recognize and understand the meaning of service and the strength of community, and it is inspiring to hear their stories and learn from their experiences.”
When they weren’t working, the group made it out to the Carolina Opry, a compilation of seemingly unrelated yet nevertheless fascinating musical performances, and even had a designated beach day to take in all the sun (and wind) South Carolina had to offer.
Pit stops along the way included Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, where the crew invaded the National Aquarium, and the Karst family’s house in Virginia. The Karsts, through their welcoming hospitality and over-the-top generosity, effectively reassured HFH’s faith in humanity.
At the end of it all, it wasn’t the experiences or memories that highlighted this year’s spring break trip, but the friendships that transcended the 10-day adventure.
“This year, the group had great chemistry and everyone got along so well,” said Nissah Vilceus, a sophomore majoring in integrative neuroscience. “It wasn’t a trip where you spend 10 days with a group of people and that’s it, but one where you build friendships and make the effort to stay in contact with everyone.”
While spring break is over, BU Habitat for Humanity has plenty of more events in store for the remainder of the semester.
Today and Wednesday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Habitat will be holding its fourth annual Orchids for Humanity event outside the New University Union. All proceeds will go toward eliminating poverty in the Broome County area.
“This is the first time we are holding our orchid event in the spring semester,” said Brittany Rivera, the president of BU HFH and a senior majoring in English. “It’s been such a successful event in the past we wanted to do it again. It brings out a lot of people from all over campus and it’s a great way to ring in spring.”