Boston College students spend break working

HUNTINGTON -- It's time for spring break for several colleges around the country, and some students are using their time off to help others.

In conjunction with Habitat for Humanity, 20 students from Boston College will be traveling to Huntington for the Collegiate Challenge Program to volunteer in the construction of the affiliate's 65th home. Students will be greeted at 9 a.m. today by an official proclamation by a city representative that will mark March 3-10 as "Boston College Week in Huntington."

"It shows a sign of maturity that you don't see in many college students because most kids would want to go on spring break," said Jane Edelen, Collegiate Challenge Youth Program coordinator. "The enthusiasm they have for this project is a wonderful statement."

The project site, 1940 Artisan Ave., will be built in honor of restaurant owner Rocco Muriale for his contributions to Habitat for Humanity as well as the rest of the city. Students from Boston College will work on the site, which broke ground in early February to further revitalize of the Artisan Avenue area.

"Huntington is a great city, and it's a great place to live and work, and everybody here really takes pride in doing so," said Teddy Kluemper, director of Development and Communications for Huntington Area Habitat for Humanity. "I think they'll take a sense of that home."

According to Edelen, the goal of the program is not only to help build a house, but to interact with the community. She says that many local parishes and churches will provide entertainment and food for the students during their stay.

According to Edelen, students from Ursinus College in Collegeville, Pa., will be traveling to Huntington to help with the project during the following week.