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On the Home Stretch — App Builds a Home project nears completion

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Build volunteers from Appalachian have been working since late September 2019 to construct a Habitat for Humanity home for the Barker family in Boone. Dedication of the completed home is scheduled for Saturday, April 25. Photo by Chase Reynolds

“Seeing people from across the university join together to build a house for a local family is a constant highlight. Recognizing a community need and coming together to respond to that need is an act of hope and commitment.”

Misty Mayfield ’02, faculty adviser for the ABAH team

By Jan Todd
Posted Feb. 6, 2020 at 11:30 a.m.

This article is part of a series about the App Builds a Home project, in which Appalachian is partnering with Watauga County Habitat for Humanity to build a home from the ground up. The project, which began with fundraising in fall 2018, will continue through the completion of the home this spring.

BOONE, N.C. — Volunteers from Appalachian State University are putting final touches on the home being built in partnership with Watauga County Habitat for Humanity, and plans for future projects by App Builds a Home (ABAH) are being discussed.

The fundraising goal of $60,000, to be matched by Watauga Habitat, has been exceeded, with $95,000 raised to date. The dedication of the home is set for Saturday, April 25.

Currently, workdays are scheduled each weekend to paint the interior, install flooring and cabinets, and landscape the exterior of the home.

“Seeing people from across the university join together to build a house for a local family is a constant highlight. Recognizing a community need and coming together to respond to that need is an act of hope and commitment.”

Misty Mayfield ’02, faculty adviser for the ABAH team

While some of the weekly workers are repeat volunteers, many are volunteering for the first time, said Misty Mayfield ’02, an instructor in Appalachian’s Department of Geography and Planning and the ABAH team’s faculty adviser.

“Seeing people from across the university join together to build a house for a local family is a constant highlight. Recognizing a community need and coming together to respond to that need is an act of hope and commitment,” she said.

Kayla McDougle, a junior interior design major from Greensboro who is president of Appalachian’s Habitat for Humanity Club and a member of the ABAH planning team, said, “As this project has developed, it has been incredibly meaningful to see the response across campus and hear what it means to individuals.”

Some of the project highlights thus far:

  • Appalachian’s Integrative Design Experience Laboratory (IDEXlab) designed plans for the home.
  • A donation of framing materials from Tom Quackenbush, of Raleigh, provided an early boost to fundraising efforts.
  • Watauga Habitat selected the future homeowners — David Barker and Amy Barker and their two children — who work alongside volunteers to build the home and then assume an affordable mortgage.
  • More than 200 volunteers took the home from foundation to under roof during the blitz build weekend in September 2019.
  • Local residents Curt Gillespie and Linda Gillespie, of Blowing Rock, were inspired by the enthusiasm of Appalachian students and contributed $20,000 to match donations in late 2019.

What’s next?

An interest meeting was held Jan. 23 to discuss future projects for ABAH. Approximately 30 people attended, representing student organizations, academic departments and offices across campus.

Attendees and interested parties have been asked to indicate by mid-February their intent to join the ABAH Advisory Committee and serve on one of the following subcommittees:

  • Outreach — connecting ABAH with individuals, clubs, organizations and offices across campus.
  • Marketing — managing social media, the ABAH website, posters and displays.
  • Volunteer Recruitment — organizing volunteers for events and build days.
  • Fundraising/Events — generating ideas and coordinating with university partners for fundraising events.

“We need to gauge interest to decide if App Builds a Home will continue for a second build,” Mayfield said. “Until then, we’ll finish and celebrate the house built for the Barker family.”

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

Volunteer to build
Volunteer to build

App Builds a Home

It's official! You can now sign up to participate in a build day for the App Builds a Home house! Check out all of our available volunteer days and reserve your spot. Building experience is NOT required to participate and everyone ages 16 and up is welcome.

Learn more
Support App Builds a Home
Support App Builds a Home

Set a fundraising goal as an individual, office, club, or organization or make a one-time donation or a monthly donation directly to App Builds a Home.

Learn more
About App Builds a Home
About App Builds a Home

Learn more about the project — including how to become involved and how to organize a fundraiser.

Learn more
App State engages with local community to build Habitat for Humanity home
App State engages with local community to build Habitat for Humanity home
May 31, 2019

The Appalachian Community has organized in partnership with Watauga County Habitat for Humanity to design, fund and build a home from the ground up for a local family in need.

Read the story
App Builds a Home — App State’s IDEXlab designs zero energy ready home
App Builds a Home — App State’s IDEXlab designs zero energy ready home
June 11, 2019

The IDEXlab’s design for an innovative, zero energy ready Habitat for Humanity home was recognized as a finalist in the U.S. Department of Energy’s 2019 Solar Decathlon Challenge.

Read the story
When the hammer hits the nail: App Builds a Home construction to begin in September
When the hammer hits the nail: App Builds a Home construction to begin in September
Aug. 26, 2019

A “crazy” weekend of building is ahead for App Builds a Home volunteers and the Watauga County Habitat for Humanity.

Read the story
From foundation to roof — App Builds a Home takes shape during blitz build
From foundation to roof — App Builds a Home takes shape during blitz build
Sep. 26, 2019

App Builds a Home takes shape as 200-plus volunteers turn out for two days of construction. The Habitat home, built in partnership with Watauga County Habitat for Humanity, is located in Boone’s GreenWood subdivision and will be inhabited by the Barker family.

Read the story
Mountaineer alumna picks up her hammer to help with App Builds a Home
Mountaineer alumna picks up her hammer to help with App Builds a Home
Oct. 1, 2019

Alumna Tasse Little ’86 adds to her 20 years of service at Appalachian by being part of the App Builds a Home (ABAH) planning team. ABAH and Watauga County Habitat for Humanity have partnered to build a home for a Boone family.

Read the story
App State student and volunteer gains real-life interior design experience
App State student and volunteer gains real-life interior design experience
June 21, 2019

Kayla McDougle, a junior interior design major, is getting a head start with real-life experience as she works on Habitat for Humanity design projects.

Read the story

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.

“Seeing people from across the university join together to build a house for a local family is a constant highlight. Recognizing a community need and coming together to respond to that need is an act of hope and commitment.”

Misty Mayfield ’02, faculty adviser for the ABAH team

Volunteer to build
Volunteer to build

App Builds a Home

It's official! You can now sign up to participate in a build day for the App Builds a Home house! Check out all of our available volunteer days and reserve your spot. Building experience is NOT required to participate and everyone ages 16 and up is welcome.

Learn more
Support App Builds a Home
Support App Builds a Home

Set a fundraising goal as an individual, office, club, or organization or make a one-time donation or a monthly donation directly to App Builds a Home.

Learn more
About App Builds a Home
About App Builds a Home

Learn more about the project — including how to become involved and how to organize a fundraiser.

Learn more

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Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

If you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian State University Podcasts
  • Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.
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Archives

Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

If you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian State University Podcasts
  • Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian
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