Habitat for Humanity Chapter Recruits Members

One of the most popular community service organizations at Huntington High School continues to be the Habitat for Humanity club. It’s energetic student leaders, Olivia Polinsky, Victoria Befumo and Sana Amin and its founding faculty advisor Robert Gilmor III are throwing a wide net hoping to pull in more than 100 members for this year’s chapter activities.

The organization’s first meeting is set for this afternoon (Monday, September 12) at 2:20 p.m. in the School Heritage Museum – room 140. Ms. Polinsky will preside as the club’s president with Ms. Befumo serving as vice president and Ms. Amin as the group’s secretary.

“All are welcome,” said Ms. Polinsky cheerfully. “We encourage those who have a passion for helping others and wish to make a difference in countless families lives to come and join us!”

Club activities are expected to include a service trip to New Orleans during February’s mid-winter vacation. “Our most active members will be joining us in February in going to a New Orleans’ build site for several days to help erect someone’s future home,” Ms. Polinsky said.

A fundraising walk-a-thon is planned for March 2023. This would be the Huntington chapter’s first-ever walk-a-thon,” Ms. Polinksy said. “The money we raise will go towards increasing our bi-yearly donation to Long Island’s Habitat for Humanity. It will be a very exciting new event to plan and participate in for all club members, including myself.

A concert fundraiser is planned for June 2023. “Bands for a Build” will make its return for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic halted the event for several years. “We will be searching for local high school singers and bands who would be willing to perform for a great cause,” Ms. Polinsky said.

The club intends to keep all of its members active and involved “even if they aren’t old enough to go on builds,” Ms. Polinsky said. “We will have activities at the weekly meetings which benefit Habitat homeowners. For those who are 16 or older, we plan to participate in monthly local builds. Going on builds is an exciting and rewarding experience. You are able to help build someone’s future home and learn new skills, which you can utilize throughout your life.”

The volunteers that the Huntington High School teenagers meet at the build sites are an inspiring group. “They always have such great advice to give and stories to tell,” Ms. Polinsky said.

The Huntington chapter hopes their spirited volunteer participation results in local businesses supporting the cause. One way of assisting involves hosting restaurant fundraisers. “By drawing in our club and helping restaurants to gain business, we would ask for a percentage of the proceeds to be donated to our local Huntington High School Habitat for Humanity club,” Ms. Polinsky said.

Interested in helping in a way either big or small? Send a message to Mr. Gilmor at rgilmor@hufsd.edu.