VSU students honored for work with Habitat

Published 4:36 am Tuesday, December 6, 2005

VALDOSTA — Some Valdosta State University students recently made a difference in the lives of others by working to eliminate substandard housing.

On Oct. 23, 2004, the Golden Key International Honour Society teamed up with the Valdosta-Lowndes County Habitat for Humanity for the 14th Make a Difference Day. Their mission was to construct a home for a family in need of a safe, affordable and decent place to live.

“Being able to give our time to help create something really important for a good family seemed very beneficial to everyone involved,” said Alli Canterbury, Valdosta State University senior and Golden Key International Honour Society member. “We were able to show our love and compassion to someone in need. By giving time and setting a compassionate example for someone else, we have impacted numerous people and inspired them to do the same in return.”

The society’s Make a Difference Day efforts did not go unrecognized. It is one of 514 such projects honored in today’s edition of USA WEEKEND.

Make a Difference Day is an annual event that takes place on the fourth Saturday of October. It is a celebration of neighbors helping neighbors, and an opportunity for everyone — young, old, individuals, and groups — to develop a volunteer project that helps someone in need.

Make a Difference Day was created by USA WEEKEND in partnership with the Points of Light Foundation. The next event is Saturday, Oct. 22.

Founded in 1977, Golden Key International Honour Society recognizes and encourages scholastic achievement and excellence among college and university students from all academic disciplines. Valdosta State University’s chapter of the Golden Key International Honour Society received its charter on Wednesday, April 23, 2003.

Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit, ecumenical Christian ministry dedicated to eliminating substandard housing and homelessness. Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, it builds simple, decent houses with the help of the homeowner families. The Valdosta-Lowndes County Habitat for Humanity was founded in 1987 and has built more than 100 homes.