PITTSFIELD, Mass. — More than 25 volunteers came out in the early morning hours Monday to help Habitat for Humanity get a new home ready for a local family.

 

Ellen Kennedy, president of Berkshire Community College, arrived at the 5 Hall Place home with more than a dozen students and area residents to help clean and prep walls, floors and ceilings for painting and move building materials in the back yard to make way for Spring cleanup.

 

Later in the morning, the newest state Sen. Adam Hinds joined the effort and took on cleaning duty, simultaneously answering questions on the minds of volunteers.

 

Three Williams College students who are interning at Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity during the month of January with a program through the career center, gave up their day off to volunteer and painted closets and cleaned. Benjamin Gips, who grew up volunteering, was wearing his "Day on, not a day off" Day of Service t-shirt, wanted to do something productive and make a positive impact.  

 

Alejandra Patlan, is studying psychology and interested in a career in a nonprofit, while Chrisleine Temple is concentrating on public interest law are both dedicated to serving others. 

 

Chris Newhard and Alex Agliliga came from the Albany area to volunteer with Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity because of lack of hands-on community service opportunities in New York State.

 

Roslyn Broch, Interim Coordinator of Service-Learning at Berkshire Community College brought high energy enthusiasm to the day's project indicating the group would be interested in coming back to the building site which will continue construction in the coming months. CBHFH is also now accepting applications for another family to become homeowners.

 

The efforts were part of the Martin Luther King Day of Service, in which dozens of residents throughout the county volunteered to help the community.

 

Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program is looking for people who have the desire and commitment to becoming homeowners. For more information, call Libby Boissy, AmeriCorps National Family Services Coordinator at (413) 442-3181 or stop by the office at 314 Columbus Avenue.

 

Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity is part of a global, nonprofit housing organization that builds strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter. Founded in 1992, Central Berkshire Habitat is dedicated to eliminating substandard housing locally and worldwide through constructing, rehabilitating and preserving homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions.