March 26, 2025
By Alfred State Spokesperson Paul Welker
Five Alfred State College (ASC) students and a pair of staff members spent spring break working with Habitat for Humanity in Myrtle Beach, SC. The trip was part of the Alternative Spring Break service initiative coordinated through the Center for Civic Leadership.
Heather Craft, administrative assistant for the civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering technology departments along with her daughter Amy Evingham, administrative assistant in the student records and financial services department, led the trip along Mamadou Barry (Rochester, NY), Erin Gregoire (Phoenix, NY), Alexander Grohman (Buffalo, NY), Dana Hartmann (Farmingdale, NY), and Bee Williams (Canberra, Australia) Craft, Barry, Hartmann, and Williams participated in the trip for the second straight year.
“I wanted to go on this trip and serve as a representative of Alfred State to make a difference,” commented Craft. “I grew so much personally. I have formed bonds with our team, the Habitat employees, and all the volunteers. Everyone was thankful, kind, and appreciative of one another.”
The group hung roof trusses, installed oriented strand board (OSB) on some of the house, and hammered in over 3,000 nails. Inclement weather forced the group to work at the Habitat Restore where they built chicken coops.
“My most cherished memory from this trip is witnessing the joy was witnessing the joy of the homeowner and her son,” added Barry. “Helping others provides me with a sense of pride and fosters a deep connection to my community.”
“On behalf of all of us at Habitat for Humanity of Horry County, I would like to again thank you and your students for a great week,” commented Development & Marketing Coordinator for Habitat for Humanity of Horry County Betty Kuvinka. “It is so heartwarming to see these college students volunteering their time to support our mission. We greatly appreciate all that you did, and I know the homebuyers were in awe to see the concrete and wood begin to look like a home.”
The students returned to campus excited with their opportunity to work with Habitat for Humanity and encourage others to take the opportunity to experience what they did.
Evingham encourages others to take the opportunity to go on a service trip in the future. “Volunteering allows you to make a difference in the lives of others and contribute to positive change in their communities. It also provides opportunities to learn new skills and gain valuable experiences which leads to personal growth.”
This trip marked the eleventh time in the last twelve years that an Alfred State group has worked with Habitat for Humanity during spring break.
Additional Quotes:
Mamadou Barry
“I am originally from Conakry, Guinea. I embarked on this journey motivated by my religious beliefs as a Muslim, which emphasize the importance of assisting those in need. I also drew upon my personal experiences of having been homeless in the past, which instilled in me a profound understanding of the challenges faced by vulnerable populations.
“I firmly believe that community involvement is essential for everyone, and such experiences are invaluable, as one can never predict when you may require assistance. Engaging in these activities has been a significant blessing in my life.”
Heather Craft
“People should go on service trips like this and volunteer because the world needs more human kindness, love and trust.”
Amy Evingham
“I wanted to be a part of this trip because volunteering has always been a passion of mine. I thrive on making a positive difference in people’s lives and leaving a lasting impact. Volunteering is an incredible way to give back.”
Caption: The Alfred State Habitat for Humanity team poses at the house they worked on during their Spring Break trip to Myrtle Beach, SC.
