ERIE, Pa. - On Saturday, January 19, 2013 the Penn State Behrend baseball program, contributed volunteer hours to Habitat for Humanity. The baseball program provided two groups of 12 players and coaches to continue work on a home refurbishing project in the City of Erie. The group combined to donate a full staff, covering an eight hour work day by completing some insulation, hanging and cutting dry wall and other interior work of a Habitat for Humanity home.
"This is a simple but very effective way for our program to give back to the Erie community," said Coach Benim. "Today and in the past we were able to make an immediate impact for a local family by just doing some work. It was a great day for all of us. Habitat is an organization that does some awesome things helping families."
In previous years with Habitat, the baseball program has built storage sheds for new homes, completed roofing, worked on interiors and exteriors of homes, and organized the Habitat warehouse. The Behrend Lions athletic staff and SAAC have also worked in the past for Habitat for Humanity as a community service project.
"It was a very rewarding experience for us to help people in need," said senior outfielder Ryan Kragnes. "This was also a neat opportunity to learn and do different jobs in a house." Senior pitcher Matt Parnes added, "It was enjoyable to be able to give some time to help a good cause."
Habitat for Humanity builds and rehabilitates houses and neighborhoods by providing simple, decent affordable homes in partnership with families in need. Reaching out from Christian roots across denominational, faith, economic and racial lines, Habitat works in partnership with prospective and existing home owners, volunteers, donors, community organizations and all those who can help reach these goals.
