Section A·Page 8
The University Daily Kansan
Tuesday, December 7, 1999
House built by greeks brings joy to tenants
By Lari O'Toole
writer@kansan.com
Kansas staff writer
There is no stove, no grass and lots of boxes to unpack, but Effie Presswood says she loves being a homeowner for the first time.
Presswood purchased the House that Greeks Built, a Habitat for Humanity house built by members of the University of Kansas' 36 fraternities and sororites. They constructed the majority of the house in a two-week period at the end of October.
Today will mark her second week in her new home at 1628 Wedgewood Drive.
"It's like 'Wow — we're really in here,'" she said.
For now, Presswood uses her microwave and crockpot in the absence of her stove, which she said was lost in delivery. Without it, she was unable to prepare Thanksgiving dinner
for her family.
"I would rather have a stove, but I was ready to move in," she said.
Presswood also said she was continuing to adjust to the noises of her new home, including the sound of the heater turning on in the middle of the night. Last week it disturbed her while she was sleeping.
"It all still kind of strange," she said.
Presswood also said she would have to get used to the occasional silence. Because she lived in multi-family housing for years, she had grown accustomed to loud footsteps overhead and constant sounds from neighbors filtering in through thin apartment walls.
She and her daughters, 15-year-old Jennifer and 7-year-old Kiera, enjoyed doing laundry in their home rather than hauling it to a community laundry facility.
"It's wonderful," Presswood said. "I haven't done laundry like this in four years."
She said they had washed at least a dozen loads since they moved in.
Presswood said she still had a lot to do to make her house feel more like home. She said she would buy greenery and hang up pictures — as soon as she found the hammer and nails that still were packed away.
"We're just doing a little at a time," Presswood said.
Casey Pursell, Enid, Okla. freshman and Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity community service director, was one of the many people who helped build the house.
"I've driven by to see the finished product," Pursell said. "It was a very beneficial thing. It really makes you think how much a difference you can make."
- Edited by Brad Hallier
'Tis the season for volunteering
Local groups seek additional help during the holidays
By Derek Prater
writer@kansan.com
Konsan staff writer
Opportunities to help others are as plentiful as mistletoe this holiday season — and perhaps even more rewarding.
During the holiday season.
Party from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 15 at the Boys & Girls Club, 1520 Haskell Ave.
During the with students gone and school out of session, we are in real need of volunteers," said E.J. Reedy, codirector of the Center for Community Outreach.
The groups will be donating toys to children of more than 250 low-income families. Reedy said volunteers were needed, and toys could be donated by taking them to either the Boys & Girls Club or to the CCO office at room 426 in the Kansas Union.
The center also is in need of volunteers during the holidays to work at the Jubilee Cafe, 1011 Vermont St. The Jubilee Cafe
"During the holiday season, with students gone and school out of session, we are in real need of volunteers."
E. J. Reedy Co-director of the Center for Community Outreach
E.J. Reedy
CCO, Boys & Girls Club, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Douglas County, Pelathe Community Resource Center, Ballard Community Center and Edgewood Homes are holding a Holidays around the World
serves free breakfasts to between 50 and 70 people from 7 to 8:15 a.m. Tuesdays and Fridays. Reedy said anyone interested in volunteering should contact CCO at 864-4073.
Ensinger, executive director of the Ballard Community Center, said the center, CCO, Penn House and the Salvation Army were sponsoring an Adopt-a-Family program.
VOLUNTEERING DURING THE HOLIDAYS
Contact these organizations to volunteer or adopt a family during the holidays:
Outreach: 864-4073
Penn House: 942-0444
The Ballard Community Center:
842-0729
The Center for Community Outreach: R44-4073
The Salvation Army: 843-4188
Businesses, organizations or individuals may contact any of the agencies to be matched with a low-income household, providing them with personal items, toys or holiday meals.
Ensinger said people could adopt a family as late as Dec. 17. One does not even need to stray from the computer keyboard to help others this year. The March of Dimes shopping village at www.modimes.org retains at least 5 percent of every purchase from the site and uses the money to improve the health of babies.
More than 50 brand name retailers such as Amazon.com, Toys.com and jcrew.com are available through the site.
The University Daily Kansan is looking for cartoonists and graphics artists for the spring semester. Stop by 111 Stauffer-Flint Hall for details.
Edited by Kelly Harvey
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