Prospect High Students Help Habitat for Humanity
Nine students and staff members from Prospect High School in Mt. Prospect, IL, took a break from their usual summer activities and traveled to Washington County, Wisconsin, recently to help Habitat for Humanity with construction of a new home and other activities in West Bend. The students are members of the school’s Service Club, which is a group that participates in volunteer service projects in its community. This was the 16th summer trip for the club, which had previously assisted Habitat affiliates in other Wisconsin locations including Two Rivers, Milwaukee, Oshkosh, and Stevens Point, among others.
The group stayed four nights at Holy Angels Church. Washington County Habitat for Humanity volunteer coordinator Emily Jennings facilitated the trip for the group, as she set up the work schedule, organized lunches and dinners, and provided the group with some historical perspective on Habitat for Humanity.
The group spent its first day clearing brush from a lot that will be the site of a future Habitat home. On day two, the group helped with de-construction of a medical office. The salvaged materials such as doors, windows, trim and baseboard, will be sold at the Habitat ReStore in West Bend providing valuable income that will be used for future projects. On day three the group helped mix concrete and build the foundation of the front porch for a new home on Eastern Avenue.
The group also found time to have some fun. Tuesday the group visited the home of Habitat executive director Russ Wanta where they were treated to a fine Mexican-style dinner. Wednesday night they went go-karting at Stocky’s and finished the evening with frozen custard at Toucan’s. Thursday night they attended the Ozaukee County Fair in Cedarburg.
The students in the group included seniors-to-be Julie Backes, Kelly Hill, Patryk Klimek, Shannon Koch, Lydia Lee, Allison Montesinos, and Josie Sajbel. Staff members on the trip were Service Learning Coordinator Dave Jacobson and guidance counselor Rachel Brill.