By Emily Williams
Homecoming Week evokes images of kings, queens, dress-up days, football games and dances, but for groups such as Vestavia Hills High School’s Habitat for Humanity club, it also is about the money.
Each year since 2004, the club, supported by Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church, has built a house for a family in need.
“VHHS is one of the few high schools in the nation which sponsors a new house for a family each year,” said Director of Member Involvement Rebecca Berry, a sophomore at VHHS.
Members of the club have a fundraising goal of $25,000 for this year’s build.
“Normally, we would have a homecoming dance which would account for around half of the funds needed,” Berry said. “Unfortunately, group gatherings of that format will not be allowed this upcoming year.”
The dance typically raises about $15,000 for the project.
In order to fill the fundraising needs, the students created an alternative community outreach initiative, Love Your Neighbor Week.
The club will be partnering with local businesses throughout the Birmingham area in order to mutually support each other.
The fundraiser will be taking place from Oct. 24 to Nov. 4 with local businesses highlighted each day via a Favorite Business Night and Favorite Business Day.
“We are thrilled that Shades Mountain Baptist Church got in at the ground floor to become a ministry partner,” said VHHS Habitat club president Nathaniel Bass. “Additionally, Flower Betty is working with us to create Flower Bombs, Weezabi is partnering with us for t-shirts and yard signs.”
We Love Vestavia signs can be ordered for $25, and t-shirts are $22, available in the colors watermelon, seafood and mustard. Both can be ordered at sweethomevestavia.com.
Flower Bombs can be ordered from Flower Betty by calling 205-413-6965.
In addition, Bass noted that the Vestavia Hills Chamber of commerce will be advertising the event to its members. Chick-Fil-A Vestavia Hills will also be collaborating with the club on a Love Your Community Servant project.
“The purpose of Love Your Neighbor Week is to pour back into our city,” Bass said. “There is no minimum requirement for donations from local businesses, thanks to the generosity of our top tier sponsors – Swaid Medical Clinic, Method Mortgage, Shipt Inc., Precision Grinding and several Vestavia families and individuals.”
The club has an ongoing sticker fundraiser. People can buy two Vestavia Hills Rebels-themed stickers of their choice for a $5 donation.
To join the initiative, contact vhhshabitat@gmail.com.
For more information and updates, visit vhhshabitat.org/lynw.
