How can Huntington High School’s Habitat for Humanity rest when there is so much to do across the Long Island community and world at large? The short answer is that it can’t. So this summer will be a busy one for the organization.
Faculty advisor and club chapter founder Robert Gilmor III and with the Huntington President Olivia Polinsky and Vice President Victoria Befumo have made plans to go on local “builds” in Huntington. A build is when a group of volunteers erects a house for someone in the community who badly needs it.
“I am so excited to lead Huntington’s Habitat for Humanity club during the next school year,” Ms. Polinsky said. “This club is so meaningful to me. I can’t wait to give it my all next year and contribute all I can to this amazing organization. We encourage others that are current members of Habitat for Humanity and wish to build to reach out to Mr. Gilmor or me at either rgilmor@hufsd.edu or oliviapolinsky@icloud.com.”
Ms. Polinsky, Ms. Befumo and Mr. Gilmor have big plans for 2022/23. “We’re looking forward getting back to an explosive year where we hope to go on a trip to New Orleans in February and provide numerous building opportunities throughout the year,” Ms. Polinsky said
The club is striving to grow its membership and welcomes any student in grades 9-12. “We’re looking into doing different fundraising endeavors including, a possible walkathon, a potential music festival at the end of the 2022/23 school year and various restaurant fundraisers,” Ms. Polinsky said.
The Huntington chapter dates to 2003 when Mr. Gilmor was hired as a high school dean. He organized the club, which included a very energetic and enthusiastic group of young people who helped the group establish a solid footing that has endured.
“Habitat will be returning next year as a highly interactive and engaging club for all grades at the high school,” Ms. Polinsky said. “We’ll have a variety of activities for our new and returning members under 16 to enjoy, since they aren’t eligible for builds just yet. Activities may include fundraising, finding ways to welcome new Habitat for Humanity homeowners and residents and much more. Our club is very influential in not just our community, but many others. This is what makes it so special to all its members.
