A walk in theSpring Hill Mall to raise money

Who says window shopping can't be productive?

About 150 high school students strolled or power-walked in the 19th annual Habitat for Humanity Northern Fox Valley Walkathon at Spring Hill Mall Saturday to raise money for the chapter's homebuilding and renovation projects.

Members of National Honor Society, various student councils and church youth groups from Algonquin, Streamwood, Elgin, Hoffman Estates and St. Charles raised about $3,000, said Connie Kitzinger, volunteer and family selection coordinator for Habitat.

"This is an opportunity for students to help and support Habitat," Kitzinger said. "There are age restrictions on our building sites, so a 13- or 14-year-old cannot volunteer to help build. This is our way to get them involved."

Bryn Christensen, 17, a senior at Elgin High School, said the walkathon is in line with her other volunteer endeavors.

"I do other walks like the Walk for MS and like doing volunteer work," said Christensen, who completed 25 laps around the mall. "It is important to get involved with your community and I think it is fun."

And building homes is one way to give back, said Sarah Glowinski, 17, an Elgin High School junior.

"I do a lot of work with homeless shelters like PADS," Glowinski said. "Building homes is important, too, like the other service projects where we feed the homeless or bring them in for the night."

The Northern Fox Valley chapter of Habitat plans to build four homes and renovate two others in St. Charles, Elgin and Carpentersville.