LL
Lindsey Leach
  • Elementary Education
  • Springfield, IL

Lindsey Leach Helps Make a Difference in Florida

2012 May 2

For 10 years, Blackburn College's Habitat for Humanity chapter has helped make a difference in the lives of local families. But, Blackburn's chapter has also extended its reach far beyond Central Illinois, and recently celebrated the 10th year of contributing to builds in Marianna, Florida. During spring break, March 5-9, twelve students and two faculty members traveled to Marianna and helped build a home. Among those volunteers was Lindsey Leach of Springfield.

Established in 2001, Blackburn's Habitat Chapter has been expanding ever since. It now has 50 volunteers who participate in 900 hours of various Habitat activities. In the 2011-12 school year alone, they have raised over $3,500.00, and have helped build 18 houses over the last decade. While in Florida, the students and faculty members began work on a concrete slab. By Friday, walls were up, the roof was on, and the siding was complete. Samantha Yoder, Blackburn's Habitat for Humanity president, said, "I'm involved with Habitat because I love helping those who need it. When we hand the keys to the homeowner, I feel that I've done something to help someone who wouldn't be able to do that without us. Habitat isn't just about building homes, but also about building families throughout the community and even the students involved."

Blackburn College faculty and staff are dedicated to the chapter and many faculty members have supervised students during Spring Break trips. Roger Fenton, Associate Dean of Work, supervised the trip for seven years. Other faculty and staff volunteers have included Karl Luth, Professor of Chemistry and Physics, and Tim Moran, Director of Residence Life, along with this year's Tim Reents, Director of Campus Safety, and Abbey Hardin, Director of Student Activities.

Founded in 1837, Blackburn College is a four-year, Presbyterian-related, co-educational liberal arts college located in Carlinville, Illinois. One of the seven work colleges in the U.S., Blackburn is the only one with a Student managed Work Program. Blackburn was recently ranked by U.S. News as the 2012 #2 Best Value College in the Midwest; and placed #65 in The Washington on Monthly's ranking of Baccalaureate Colleges. The school remains the most affordable, residential liberal arts college in the state.