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MSU's chapter of Habitat for Humanity benefits community

March 20, 2016
Physiology senior Lindsay Schichtel helps remove siding on a house on March 18, 2016 at Old Castle Circle in Lansing.  Schichtel is President of the Habitat for Humanity Club this year and has been Secretary and Vice President over the course of her four years at MSU.
Physiology senior Lindsay Schichtel helps remove siding on a house on March 18, 2016 at Old Castle Circle in Lansing. Schichtel is President of the Habitat for Humanity Club this year and has been Secretary and Vice President over the course of her four years at MSU. —
Photo by Emily Elconin | and Emily Elconin The State News

Members come together nearly every week to work on build sites in the Lansing area.

Habitat for Humanity is an international non-profit organization that started in 1976. The organization works to combat poverty housing through building and updating houses. The MSU chapter allows students to get involved in the build process from the ground up.

“We work on houses in the local, Lansing community,” Habitat president and physiology senior Lindsay Schichtel said.

Building the houses is a long process, but the pay off for Habitat and the family outweighs the length.

“You’re able to see what you’ve done and it makes you feel proud,” said Habitat vice president and athletic training senior Carolyn Rutishauser.

Schichtel said the group gives a large donation through fundraising each year to the international chapter and members decide the use for the funds.

In addition to the feeling of accomplishment from working on the houses and raising money, Schichtel said being a member helps her realize not everyone is as fortunate as her.

“I come from a privileged family, it gives me the chance to take a step back and realize that not everyone was awarded the same thing,” Schichtel said.

Rutishauser said students can see a tangible thing they helped build and that makes the Habitat experience different.

Both Rutishauser and Schichtel said they chose to get involved after enjoying their experiences in high school with the organization.

“A lot of people don’t have any experience,” Schichtel said. “They ask us what habitat is.”

Rutishauser said she respects the families who Habitat helps out because of how much time and effort they put into building their new home.

“Not only are students getting the opportunity to get some service in, but they’re having the chance to go and be a part of building a house for a family,” Rutishauser said.

MSU works closely with Habitat for Humanity Capital Region on both builds and fundraising.

“They’re getting to work directly with that family,” she said.

Rutishauser said a lot of times student who volunteer work behind the scenes but Habitat puts them at the front of the work.

Habitats local influence has made the builds mean even more to the students involved.

“We’re very lucky to be going to such a great school at MSU, to live in such a great community,” Schichtel said. “To help the other people of the community is pretty rewarding.”

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