By Antionette Rollins 
Members of the ONE Campaign UGA volunteer at the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia
Members of the ONE Campaign UGA volunteer at the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia 
Blake Barnett of the ONE Campaign at the Food Bank
“I initially joined in high school because it was the biggest organization,” Melanie Phelps, co-president of UGA Habitat for Humanity, said of her organization. “The turning point for me was when I went to a house dedication. It was very emotional and it was a huge thing for the family. It made it more real for me.”
Since 1994, UGA Habitat for Humanity has held events and raised funds, working toward the organization’s goal to combat homelessness and help provide housing for those in need.
“We have a saying, ‘working to house the world’,” said Phelps.
Phelps wanted to clear up a common misconception that her organization houses people for free. Rather, homeowners who receive help from Habitat for Humanity pay affordable mortgage terms without high interest rates.
The UGA chapter of Habitat for Humanity focuses on fund-raising in hopes of building one house per year. Since founded at UGA, the chapter has built 10 homes and is currently working to fund the 11th. Last year, the chapter raised $13,000 in their annual “Gift Wrap Across Georgia”, in which members went to local bookstores and gift-wrapped books for donations.
Another international organization represented on campus is the ONE Campaign UGA, an organization looking to end poverty. David Liddell, executive director of ONE at UGA, said the chapter’s three-prong mission includes awareness of poverty issues, advocacy and an emphasis on community service.
“As an Athens-based organization, we realize that Athens has specific needs,” Liddell said.
To address these needs, ONE has partnered with local organizations such as the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia to directly service the community. On a monthly basis, ONE staffs food bank direct-distribution projects by putting together food packages and helping with paperwork.
The organization also worked with AIDS Athens last year to raise funds, renovate the center’s programming room and collect clothes for the AIDS Athens clothing closet. Liddell believes that AIDS, poverty and hunger are interrelated issues that ONE can fight by supporting AIDS Athens.
“We basically ask where they need help and we try to help the best we can,” Liddell said.
Although student organizations like Habitat for Humanity and ONE put time and funds into their service projects, some students believe that large-scale Athens-area poverty cannot feel the benefits of student involvement.
“It is rampant, it’s everywhere,” said David Lightsey, a senior from Valdosta. “There aren’t enough students helping because at the end of the day, the rich kids go home and forget.”
Junior Meshell Maxam from Atlanta disagrees.
“I think they make an impact,” she said. “Trying to combat poverty says a lot about the quality of student organizations here on campus.”
Phelps and Liddell believe that the impact of student organizations depends upon the attitude of the student body.
“You can be involved as you want to be,” Liddell said in regards to student interest. “Our three-prong policy is flexible, so if you’re interested in community service, you can do that.”
On Oct. 15, 2009, the ONE Campaign UGA will recognize the “International Day for the Eradication of Poverty” by raising money through a film screening.
On Oct. 24, 2009, UGA Habitat for Humanity will host “Slam the Door on Poverty” at Myers Quad, where students can build doors and window frames for local homes.
Students interested in joining the fight against poverty can attend the UGA Habitat for Humanity and ONE Campaign UGA general body meetings and visit the websites www.uga.edu/habitat and www.uga.edu/one for more information.
Many student organizations at the University of Georgia have committed to eliminating local poverty in Athens Clarke-County, one of the neediest counties in Georgia, and some students gain personal experience along with serving the community.
“I initially joined in high school because it was the biggest organization,” Melanie Phelps, co-president of UGA Habitat for Humanity, said of her organization. “The turning point for me was when I went to a house dedication. It was very emotional and it was a huge thing for the family. It made it more real for me.”
Since 1994, UGA Habitat for Humanity has held events and raised funds, working toward the organization’s goal to combat homelessness and help provide housing for those in need.
“We have a saying, ‘working to house the world’,” said Phelps.
Phelps wanted to clear up a common misconception that her organization houses people for free. Rather, homeowners who receive help from Habitat for Humanity pay affordable mortgage terms without high interest rates.
The UGA chapter of Habitat for Humanity focuses on fund-raising in hopes of building one house per year. Since founded at UGA, the chapter has built 10 homes and is currently working to fund the 11th. Last year, the chapter raised $13,000 in their annual “Gift Wrap Across Georgia”, in which members went to local bookstores and gift-wrapped books for donations.
Another international organization represented on campus is the ONE Campaign UGA, an organization looking to end poverty. David Liddell, executive director of ONE at UGA, said the chapter’s three-prong mission includes awareness of poverty issues, advocacy and an emphasis on community service.
“As an Athens-based organization, we realize that Athens has specific needs,” Liddell said.
To address these needs, ONE has partnered with local organizations such as the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia to directly service the community. On a monthly basis, ONE staffs food bank direct-distribution projects by putting together food packages and helping with paperwork.
The organization also worked with AIDS Athens last year to raise funds, renovate the center’s programming room and collect clothes for the AIDS Athens clothing closet. Liddell believes that AIDS, poverty and hunger are interrelated issues that ONE can fight by supporting AIDS Athens.
“We basically ask where they need help and we try to help the best we can,” Liddell said.
Although student organizations like Habitat for Humanity and ONE put time and funds into their service projects, some students believe that large-scale Athens-area poverty cannot feel the benefits of student involvement.
“It is rampant, it’s everywhere,” said David Lightsey, a senior from Valdosta. “There aren’t enough students helping because at the end of the day, the rich kids go home and forget.”
Junior Meshell Maxam from Atlanta disagrees.
“I think they make an impact,” she said. “Trying to combat poverty says a lot about the quality of student organizations here on campus.”
Phelps and Liddell believe that the impact of student organizations depends upon the attitude of the student body.
“You can be involved as you want to be,” Liddell said in regards to student interest. “Our three-prong policy is flexible, so if you’re interested in community service, you can do that.”
On Oct. 15, 2009, the ONE Campaign UGA will recognize the “International Day for the Eradication of Poverty” by raising money through a film screening.
On Oct. 24, 2009, UGA Habitat for Humanity will host “Slam the Door on Poverty” at Myers Quad, where students can build doors and window frames for local homes.
Students interested in joining the fight against poverty can attend the UGA Habitat for Humanity and ONE Campaign UGA general body meetings and visit the websites www.uga.edu/habitat and www.uga.edu/one for more information.
Edited by Alison Loughman
