Baseball Volunteers at Habitat for Humanity
11/15/2010 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Nov. 15, 2010
YPSILANTI, Mich. -- The University of Michigan baseball program helped out the Habitat for Humanity of Huron Valley this past Saturday (Nov. 13). In its fourth year of volunteering its time and manpower to the organization, the Wolverine baseball program helped out with two houses in the Ypsilanti area.
The baseball team, which was one of four U-M teams to win the Rachael Townsend Community Service Award last season, helped with the interior and exterior demolition, the landscaping and the beginning of putting insulation up on one house and landscaping and clearing of brush on the second house.
"The University of Michigan baseball team has been a tremendous supporter of the local Habitat for Humanity affiliate since 2007," Habitat for Humanity of Huron Valley Development Director Theresa Finney Dumais said. "Over the last four years, the players have not only come out as a team to build and renovate homes for local families in need but also have raised nearly $40,000 in a grassroots appeal to friends and family. These funds have helped five families over the past four years achieve the dream of affordable home ownership -- and these same hardworking families are now building social capital in their communities, paying taxes to Washtenaw County and contributing to the school base in their neighborhood.
"We are extremely grateful for our partnership with the baseball team, and are so proud of these athletes' efforts each and every year. They come out and work hard, bond with each other and make a difference in people's lives."
"I think it's a wonderful way for our players to give back to the community," Michigan head baseball coach Rich Maloney said. "We've seen over the last few years with some of the stories the people who have lived in the homes that we've been able to assist with and really make the difference in the lives of the families. That's very gratifying.
"Habitat does a wonderful job of providing housing for people who otherwise would not be able to afford it. For our players to play a small role by spending a day working on a home and then on top of that asking others to give to support our cause has been tremendous. Thank you to all the people who were able to support our team's effort in helping Habitat for Humanity."
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For a photo gallery of the Wolverines helping out at Habitat for Humanity, visit Michigan baseball's Facebook site at http://www.facebook.com/MichiganBaseball. For more information on Habitat for Humanity of Huron Valley, visit their website at www.h4h.org.
