Work begins on Habitat House sponsored by Marshall

HUNTINGTON -– Prep work began Dec. 5 on the Habitat House that Marshall University and Huntington Area Habitat for Humanity are teaming to build in Huntington for a family of three.

Marshall and Habitat for Humanity announced the partnership, the first on a project of this scale between the two organizations, last summer. The house, which will be the 64th built by Huntington Area Habitat for Humanity, is expected to be ready for occupancy in about three months.

Teddy Kluemper III, director of development and communications for Huntington Area Habitat for Humanity, said the house will be built at 1930 Artisan Ave., which is near the Marshall campus.

"Marshall University always has and continues to be a leader in so many ways for this community," Kluemper said. "As the director of development for Habitat, a resident of the city of Huntington, and alumnus of Marshall University, I could not be more excited about the contribution they are going to make to this city in the means of providing safe, decent and affordable housing.

"We are so blessed that the university has agreed to partner with us on such a landmark project."

A ceremonial groundbreaking will take place later this month, and a media event is planned for sometime in January after Marshall's students return for the second semester, which begins Jan. 14.

Megan Barbour with MU's Student Affairs Office said interest among students wanting to help build the house has been great.

"We have had an overwhelming amount of interest among students wanting to volunteer and I am enthusiastically optimistic that we will have an even more overwhelming turnout of volunteers throughout the build," Barbour said. "We are always looking for more volunteers and we have adequate work for anyone looking to help out."

Some volunteers are needed to help over the next two weeks. The majority of work to be done by volunteers, including students, student groups, faculty and staff, will be done after the holidays. To learn more about the project, including hours in which volunteers are needed, persons may call Habitat's office at (304) 523-4822.

Huntington Area Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian ministry, whose mission is to partner with qualified families in need, and provide them the opportunity for safe, decent, affordable housing. To volunteer with the organization, visit www.huntingtonareahabitat.org.