UA, Auburn Students Join Forces in Storm Relief through House United Habitat Project

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Students from The University of Alabama and Auburn University are joining forces to help storm relief efforts in Tuscaloosa by working on Habitat for Humanity’s House United building project July 18-22 to help a family return home.

More than 60 UA students will be joined by some 30 Auburn students to work on rebuilding a house for an area family who lost their home in the April 27 tornado that destroyed parts of Tuscaloosa. The house is located at 4238 5th Street NE, Tuscaloosa, Ala. 35404 in the Holt Community off Crescent Ridge Road.

“The University of Alabama is excited to be joined by students, faculty and staff from Auburn University to make a positive difference in the lives of a family who was affected by the April 27 storm.  And, we are looking forward to this being an annual event where the two institutions can come together to help benefit other areas of the state,” said Wahnee Sherman, director of the UA Community Service Center, who is helping lead the program.

Throughout the week, students will be based on the UA campus in the Riverside Community and travel together in teams to the building site.  They will share meals – some at area churches – and evening time together to reflect, build sense of unity and learn from the opportunity to help others in need.

“This is the first House United build between the two institutions,” says Sherman, who adds that plans for the project, originally to be held in Baldwin County, changed after the destructive storm hit Tuscaloosa.

Habitat is working with Nick’s Kids on this project that will feature several student athletes who will come out and be part of the build throughout the week. UA mascot Big Al will be on hand Monday, July 18, after lunch at 12:30, and Auburn’s mascot, Aubie, will join the group Friday, July 22, in the afternoon. Also on Friday, the students will have lunch at the house with the family at noon.

Plans for the house include construction of a safe room that will provide shelter for the family during severe weather or other dangerous events. Dr. Jim Richardson, associate professor of civil, construction and environmental engineering in the UA College of Engineering, assisted the team with the safe room construction plans.

The event is being co-hosted by the Alabama Association of Habitat for Humanity Affiliates and Habitat for Humanity of Tuscaloosa.

“This project brings together America’s greatest rivalry in a joint effort to improve the lives of Habitat partner families across the state,” said Art Pearce, AAHHA executive director. The AAHHA assists 34 affiliates serving 45 counties in Alabama; annually, Habitat builds more than 200 homes for Alabama families.