University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Lady Eagles enjoy Habitat for Humanity experience
8/2/2018 10:23:00 AM | Women's Basketball
HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- The Southern Miss women's basketball team last Thursday had the unique opportunity to build a house as part of Habitat for Humanity.
Sophomore Allie Kennedy said that with her best friend's father being a carpenter, she already had some prior knowledge of building.
"The directions were really easy," she said. " Our leader told us basically everything we needed to do. I think just knowing you're building a family's home and being able to write our names on the inside of the house when we were done. I also learned that I really like to build things.
Redshirt-senior Megan Brown admitted it could be a curveball at times.
"I had never put plywood on the side of a house, but now I know how to do that, so that's cool," she said. "We worked on a house last year, but more of the garden and outside area. It was a much different experience this time."
It is far from the first time that the Lady Eagles have worked with Habitat for Humanity in head coach Joye Lee-McNelis' 15-year tenure. She also noted that the program is "truly about things so much bigger than the game. It's about teaching life lessons and to be able to reach out in our community and bring out a smile on someone's face."
She also believes it helps translate to future successes on the court.
"Through these activities, with our coaching staff, you learn a lot about your team: who's going to step up, who's going to be proactive and who's going to show leadership skills," McNelis said. "It's great to see the Shonte Hailes and Megan Browns and Camille Andersons to step up and be vocal and give direction. When those things happen, it's truly a great experience.
Kennedy also offered some advice for anyone else looking to eventually construct a home.
"Just be careful with the ladders and don't prop them up against the house. Also, make sure you put the plywood in the right place first, because taking out those nails are a piece of work."
About Habitat for Humanity
Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity began in 1976 as a grassroots effort on a community farm in southern Georgia. The Christian housing organization has since grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in nearly 1,400 communities throughout the U.S. and in nearly 70 countries.Families and individuals in need of a hand up partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower. To learn more, visit habitat.org.
