Clemson students and staff building Habitat house on campus

Listen to this article

Clemson University’s homecoming week activities include the 26th annual Pickens County Habitat for Humanity house building collaboration. The Habitat for Humanity Homecoming Build kicked off Wednesday on Bowman Field.

Over the past 25 years, individuals and groups in the Clemson community have built 26 homes that are still occupied, according to a news release.

Clemson University’s Habitat for Humanity club has more than 50 active members who work to raise funds and solicit materials for the project throughout the year, the release said. The group also organizes more than 900 student and employee volunteers for the build.

The campus chapter coordinates the effort with Pickens County Habitat for Humanity, which uses volunteer labor to build three houses a year for families in need. One of their recent homes was constructed with the help of Clemson University volunteers, including athletes and coaches.

“Habitat for Humanity was the first organization I joined as a freshman at Clemson,” Taylor Casey, club president, said in the release. “In my first year, I fell in love with Habitat for Humanity, its mission, and the people I was fortunate enough to work with. I was excited and grateful when the opportunity came for me to take on the role of president. I am so proud to represent an organization that strives to provide the best route to success for so many families.”

The Homecoming Build has more than 943 hour-long spots for volunteers, the release said.

The build on Bowman Field takes place in a highly visible location during one of the year’s busiest weeks. The house is later moved to its permanent site. This year, the house is being built for a U.S. Postal Service employee and her daughter, the release said.