Accepting their award were, from left, Chapter President Bill Haug, Advisor Shirley Pavone, Vice President Olivia Durning, Co-fundraising Chair Natasha Sousa and Construction Coordinator Baxter Smith.  Photo by Brian Russell of Red Shoe Film.

Sacred Heart University’s Habitat for Humanity Campus Chapter is the recipient of the prestigious Second Mile Award, presented each year by Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County (Habitat CFC). The award also went to Youth United, a Habitat CFC program focused on giving youth from different backgrounds, faiths and organizations the opportunity to work together to sponsor and build a house with Habitat. Youth United and Sacred Heart’s Habitat club partnered to raise money for and build a house at 554 Jane St. in Bridgeport.

This is the first time the award has been given to groups since its inception in 1988. Thirty-seven individuals have received the award in the past 25 years. Keith Cook, co-president and director of construction for Habitat of Humanity CFC, said the two groups were selected because of the way they raised the money for the house. “Corporations will write us big checks, and of course that’s the most efficient way to raise money. In this case, it took years to for the kids to raise the money. They did it through bake sales, raking leaves, collecting cans, selling gingerbread houses, washing cars, making and selling bookcases and toys and many other small fundraisers. And then they built a house! That kind of perseverance, along with the care and quality they put into construction, is what the Second Mile concept is all about.”

Olivia Durning works on the Jane St. home.

Cook was also impressed with how involved the students became with the Velazquez family who will move into the house next week.

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