Today, South Jersey Service traveled to Habitat for Humanity Restore in Maple Shade. Habitat for Humanity, as an organization, serves to build low-cost homes to aid families that are struggling economically. The “Restore” aspect of this organization provides furniture and more to both the construction of these homes as well as to customers who want to buy cheaper, potentially second-hand items. While Habitat employs some people full time, the organization also utilizes a lot of student volunteers as well as material and monetary donations. Today, we spent our time across multiple different activities.
One of these was called “rug throwing.” Throughout this activity, students worked together by moving various rugs from being spread on the ground and from carts into a steeper pile in order to consolidate the rugs into a specific area. Furthermore, we even helped local customers shop for their desired rugs as we had previously moved them all into the pile, knowing which ones were placed where. Many students worked in this area as the rugs became pretty heavy depending on the size.
Another group took their service outside. Similarly to the other groups it was a day filled with lots of physical labor. From moving large heavy pieces of trash and throwing them into the dumpster at the back of the building to reorganizing cinder block into even stacks to make them easier for the staff relocate, the group was dedicated to cleaning up the exterior of the building to optimize its efficiency. The group then went inside and put together lamps and brought them out onto display for sale.
After completing our service, we traveled as a group to Laurel Acres Park in Mount Laurel. While it was a little chilly, the weather was comfortable whenever the sun was out. We sat at picnic tables under a pavilion to eat lunch. After we finished eating, some students went to play on a playground and others stayed under the pavilion. There was even an ice-cream truck, which many students frolicked to in search of ice-cream. All in all, it was a fun, albeit tiring, day.
