By Grace Stroup

Sentry Staff Reporter

During all three lunch periods on September 24, students were immersed in the Activities Fair to help them get involved in our finest clubs, one of them being Habitat For Humanity Club.  Co-Presidents and seniors, Emma Tayloe and Hannah Purvis were members last year and are aiming to give the international organization a name in the school community.  Habitat For Humanity is a nonprofit organization aimed at reducing and eventually eradicating homelessness and poor quality of life involving housing.  As a team, Purvis and Tayloe want to publicize the issue of homelessness and the Habitat message as a whole.

Purvis is very passionate about making it known that housing is still a big issue in Arlington.

“It could really get people involved and understanding that even though we do live in Arlington, which is an affluent area, there are a lot of people that still need help,” said Purvis.

Tayloe has also voiced strong opinions about how fortunate people are in Arlington but there are still people that need help in this community.  Especially in a county like Arlington, she believes it is important to remember how lucky we are and to give back to people who are not as lucky.

“It’s just a good opportunity to think about everything we’re given, and something as basic as housing is a huge issue and something we take for granted that so many people don’t have handed to them like we do,” said Tayloe.

Not only are the presidents aiming at advertising this fantastic organization but they plan on going to at least two of the builds this upcoming year. Some of the work the club may do involves making lunches for the volunteers at the worksites.  However, it is very unlikely that the builds would be in Arlington itself.

“The land is so expensive here and [Habitat] has not done a build in Arlington for quite some time,” said Tayloe.

Even so, Habitat still receives a surplus of donations from the Arlington community and Tayloe and Purvis expect to be there.

“The collection sites are in Alexandria where the club would volunteer sorting the donations Habitat receives,” said Tayloe.

Tayloe and Purvis went online and found the email address for the youth outreach coordinator for the Northern Virginia area, Erica Painter, but they suggest contacting other coordinators in surrounding areas for additional help on getting involved.  The goal is to get members and make sure that people know that Habitat is not only at Yorktown, but in Arlington as well. Purvis encourages people that are not in the club to join and help make this organization prominent in Arlington.  The club generally meets every other Tuesday, but depending on the week this could vary. Announcements are always on the dailies and the club meets in Senora Johnston’s room right after school. New members are encouraged and always welcome.

Featured Image by Claire DeCroix/SENTRY