Photo courtesy of Cassie Perkins

(Clockwise from back left) Juniors Grace Hsu and Naomi Lisse, sophomore Danielle Armstrong, juniors Aaron Weitzner, Cassy Perkins, junior Ariana Motazed, senior Alex Constantine and junior Lita Talisman, members of the WJ chapter of Habitat for Humanity, at the Potomac Day Parade on Oct. 24.

 The new Habitat for Humanity club is growing rapidly in its first year as many WJ students hear the call of the Benjamin Franklin adage: “No one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of it for someone else.”

“We’re already a lot bigger than most Habitat For Humanity chapters with a roster of nearly 60 members,” said junior Cassy Perkins, the club’s president.

Habitat for Humanity enlists volunteers to fix up old houses that they then provide to families at affordable mortgages. The income from the loans is used to build more “Habitat houses.”

“What is special about Habitat for Humanity is that it’s not a giveaway program,” said Perkins. “It allows [volunteers] a sense of pride because they contribute to building the home by putting in ‘sweat equity’ hours, which means they have to work hundreds of hours on the home before it is put in their name.”

Everyone has a different reason to join Habitat For Humanity, but for the most part, students are just eager to help others.

“[I joined] because I felt like I wanted to give back to the community,” said club member junior Grace Hsu.

In its first effort, the club will be helping rehabilitate foreclosed homes in Silver Spring on Saturday, Nov. 14 and Sunday, Nov. 15.

While Maryland laws prohibit volunteers under the age of 16 from using power tools, club members under that age can do jobs such as painting, tiling and caulking.

The club also does a lot of fundraising. Its last fundraiser was on Oct. 24 during the Potomac Day Parade where it worked in conjunction with the Habitat for Humanity affiliate of Montgomery County.

They encourage new members to come to meetings at any point in the year and get involved.

“Even if people never came to the first two meetings, they will never be turned away,” said Perkins. “We always want new volunteers and more members.”

The club meets on the third Wednesday of every month in room 113, and it is never too late to join.