The calendar is always full for MSU Habitat for Humanity.
Members of the community service organization travel across the Lansing area to read stories to children, nursing home residents and other individuals three times a week.
Then there's the Book Buddies Valentine Party coming up this Friday.
And members started building a house last fall that's almost done.
MSU's chapter of Habitat for Humanity was established on campus in 1991. The group focuses on eradicating impoverished housing and homelessness in the area.
Computer science junior Matt Butkus is in his third year with the group.
"It's important for every Michigan State student to donate time to the community," Butkus said. "It helps make them mature."
On most weekends, members head out to the construction site in downtown Lansing to complete the house which they raised money for themselves.
"It's really rewarding to see your work being built," said Janelle Raymond, corporate relations officer for the group. "We work side by side with the families, so we meet the people who are going to be affected."
The group is affiliated with Habitat for Humanity International, which is primarily known for building houses for low-income families. However, Raymond said MSU's chapter does so much more, including its work with local children.
"It's a great hands-on thing to help the kids in the community," she said. At the Valentine Party, members will celebrate Valentine's Day with some of the kids they've spent time with.
Membership of Habitat for Humanity is open to anyone. Butkus said membership has been growing because of the group's Web site.
"It's been a great way for more people to know more about Habitat," he said.
The group is planning to spend spring break building houses in one of three locations: Alabama, Florida or Georgia.
"At two of the locations they'll build houses with Jimmy Carter," Butkus added, referring to the former U.S. president who now serves as a spokesman for the group.
Raymond said she encourages new members to check out the group, not only to work with the former president, but alongside other students and members of the Lansing Habitat for Humanity.
"It's a great organization," she said. "You feel like you're fulfilling a purpose and helping people, not just helping yourself."
For more information, visit www.msuhabitat.org.
