Thursday, September 13, 2007

Wilmington, N.C. - A groundbreaking ceremony will be held at 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, 2007, for the Seahawk Cottage, the first Habitat for Humanity home to be built completely by the UNC Wilmington Habitat chapter.

A partnership between the student chapter, United Way and Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity, the house is being funded with money raised by students and a matching grant of $25,000 from United Way of the Cape Fear Area. It is being built in the Cottages at Cornerstone for Lataya Smith and her family. Volunteers involved in the build will include representatives from numerous UNCW student groups as well as other Habitat homeowners, community Habitat volunteers and United Way volunteers.

WHEN: 8 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2007

WHERE: 3813 Prices Lane, Cottages at Cornerstone (turn right onto Mosley Street off of Princess Place Drive)

WHAT: A groundbreaking ceremony and celebration; speakers will include:

• Barbara Birkenheuer, executive director, Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity

• Pam Wyatt, president, United Way of the Cape Fear Area

• Grace Harris, UNCW student and past president and founder of the UNCW student chapter of Habitat for Humanity

• Lataya Smith, homeowner

PHOTO OPS:

• Members of the family and representatives from the sponsoring organizations turning shovels of earth to officially break ground

• Speakers from the organizations involved and the family

• After the groundbreaking, the first day of the build will take place with UNCW student volunteers until around 3 p.m.

Media contacts:

Naomi Kemper, president, UNCW Student Chapter Habitat for Humanity, 919-426-3421 or nlk6510@uncw.edu (preferred contact method is e-mail)

Dana Fischetti, director of news and media relations for UNCW, 910.962.7259 or fischettid@uncw.edu