Four Alfred State College (ASC) Northland campus students and a pair of faculty members spent part of their winter break working with Habitat for Humanity of Horry County (Myrtle Beach, SC). This is the third straight winter service trip that students from the Northland campus have participated in.
Faculty members Sal Polizzi and Jonisha Scott led the trip and worked alongside James Flannery, Alex Smith, Shawn Nagel, and Justin French.
“I am grateful for opportunities like Habitat for Humanity, where my students get to experience what it truly means to serve,” commented Scott. “Beyond academics, they are learning empathy, leadership, and the importance of giving back. Watching them work side-by-side, building not just a house but a sense of hope and belonging for a family, reminds all of us that education is also about shaping compassionate citizens who make the world better.”
Smith added, “Spending time building with Habitat for Humanity has been an incredibly grounding experience. There is nothing quite like the feeling of putting in a hard day's work and seeing a physical home take shape. I am so grateful for the opportunity to contribute to such a meaningful mission and for the wonderful community of volunteers and homeowners I met along the way.”
“I gained hands-on experience with framing and trim work, learning practical construction skills while working closely with other volunteers,” added Nagel. “The experience strengthened my appreciation for teamwork, craftsmanship, and the impact of serving the community.”
The group spent most of their time and energy building a home for the Bellamy Family. The group had the chance to meet the family and take part in the groundbreaking ceremony. The home is part of a new initiative included in the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project and was the first home built in Horry County’s Rural Rally (for more information on the work done by Habitat for Humanity in Horry County visit: https://habitathorry.org).
This trip marked the thirteenth time in the last thirteen years that an Alfred State group has worked with Habitat for Humanity. A group of students from the Alfred campus are planning to return to Horry County during the college’s spring break in March.
Additional Quotes:
Justin French: “Wonderful experience at habitat of humanity! We learned all different aspects of building a home including framing, siding, and interior trip work. It felt great to know we were all helping a great cause with a great organization.”
James Flannery: “Fostered a strong sense of brotherhood and camaraderie amongst those of us fortunate enough to make the trip down.”