EIU Media Relations

Shantytown 2004 to Raise Awareness, Funds for Habitat

There's a new community springing up on the campus of Eastern Illinois University, but no one will want to live there - permanently, that is.

The EIU Campus Chapter of Habitat for Humanity will sponsor Shantytown 2004 from noon Thursday, April 8, to noon Friday, April 9. Student volunteers will spend the night in cardboard boxes and shake cans in the Library Quad to raise money and awareness for Habitat for Humanity.

The local affiliate - Coles County Habitat for Humanity - will provide a soup dinner for volunteers at 6 p.m. Thursday.

In addition, entries in this year's Popsicle Stick House Contest will be on display for viewing and voting via the Penny War system. Each penny a stick house receives means one point for its builders; anything else results in lost points (e.g., a nickel equals five lost points, a dollar equals 100 lost points, etc.). Prizes will be awarded to the house with the most points, as well as to the houses that raise the most money for Habitat and show the most creativity.

According to Amanda Zueck, a student member of the campus chapter, the group hopes to raise $3,000 as a result of this year's Shantytown event. The ultimate goal of $28,000 or more by Fall 2006 would allow the campus chapter to co-sponsor its second house with the Coles County chapter.

Other fundraisers this semester have included the sale of Easter lilies and Shantytown 2004 T-shirts.

Those wishing to make a pledge to the EIU Campus Chapter of Habitat for Humanity may leave donations at Shantytown or leave /send donations in care of the Student Volunteer Center , Newman Catholic Center , 500 Roosevelt Ave. , Charleston , Illinois 61920 . Checks should be made payable to Habitat for Humanity, Campus Chapter.

For information/details, please phone Z ueck (581-8005) or Brynn Hegberg (348-0188, ext. 13). Online information is available at www.eiu.edu/habitat/shanty.html.