Students Form BHS Chapter of Habitat For Humanity

Kevin Pirruccio traveled to Louisiana and saw some of the damage that Hurricane Katrina did to the state.

"I saw some people helping re-build Louisiana and wanted to see if there was anything we could do back at Berlin High School," he said. "Most of the clubs we have here are very local but we wanted to see if we could do something on more of a global level."

He asked teacher Scot Peaslee to act as the club advisor and he began the process to form a campus chapter of Habitat for Humanity. Most Habitat campus clubs are on college campuses but Berlin High is one of the few high school chapters. Even though the chapter is not an official school club, the school supports the club and paid for the entrance fee of $250.

"The main goals of the club are fundraising, Advocacy, Education and Building," Pirruccio said. "We have officers for the club and we also have heads of all the action committees."

The vice president is Kimberly Caplik, secretary is Emily Russo and treasurer is Emily Michaud. Gabrielle St. Jarre is head of fundraising, Kristina Hagmeier leads Advocacy, Ryan Kliszewski is head of Education and Emma Morelli is in charge of the building committee.

While the members have different reasons for joining Habitat for Humanity, all look forward to going on a build.

"The fundraising is mostly for us to have enough money for transportation and materials for a build," Pirruccio said. "At some point in the near future we will go before the Board of Education to ask permission to go on a trip to El Salvador for a build."

The club has 50 members right now, which is an average size club. The club will look to fundraise from businesses and corporations to fund their trip but there will also be local fundraising, as well.

The club will be asking for donations at Roger's Marketplace this weekend on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. In exchange for a $5 donation, the donor will get a bumper sticker. No donations are too small, according to the club. As the fundraising goes ahead, there will be more merchandise sales, such as t-shirts and hats. The club will also get 20 percent of receipts from a Habitat for Humanity Night at Bill's Pizza. Another merchandise sale is also scheduled for the Saturday after Thanksgiving at Stop&Shop.

"There is a high level of dedication in the club so far," Pirruccio said. "If we can't meet after school we also have meetings before school, which shows the level of commitment. We all want to look beyond Berlin to help people."