Student-Athletes Help Build Habitat Home for NLR Family
More than 70 UALR student-athletes and staff joined volunteers from the NCAA, Habitat for Humanity of Pulaski County, and Lowe’s to frame a house for a North Little Rock family during the first- and second-round games of the 2008 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship.
The build took place in a lot beside Alltel Arena in North Little Rock. The house was framed at the build site and then was moved to its permanent location in North Little Rock.
“This build was a great opportunity for our student-athletes to give back to the community that has embraced them,” said Chris Peterson, UALR athletic director. “By participating in this event, our student-athletes are able to exemplify the supporting role that intercollegiate athletics plays in enhancing the sense of community.”
The NCAA funded the entire cost of the house – approximately $65,000. The build was also sponsored by Lowe’s, one of the NCAA’s corporate sponsors and a supporter of Habitat. Lowe’s also contributed an additional $10,000 to Habitat for Humanity of Pulaski County for future projects.
“This partnership is incredibly important to Habitat for Humanity because of the many resources the NCAA offers,” said Bill Plunkett, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Pulaski County. “The NCAA brings much needed funding and volunteers to aid families in need of housing. They also have a unique reach to America’s youth that encourages them to make a difference in their communities.”