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Students to Brave the Cold Feb. 2-4 for Habitat for Humanity Housing

January 9, 2009
Contact: Brenton Murray, 480-201-4678, or Tim Brauer, 203-414-6143 

ORONO – Students at the University of Maine will spend three days in the bitter cold next month to draw attention to substandard housing in the Greater Bangor area.

Feb. 2-4, members of the Habitat for Humanity – UMaine Campus Chapter plan to stay in makeshift shanties on the University Mall. The event is titled “There’s Snow Place Like Home.”

Students will camp out in snow and ice alongside large sponsorship banners. They are seeking individual, group and corporate sponsors to join them in raising awareness about the problem of poverty housing. Proceeds from the sponsorships will help build houses for local families in need.

“This is a sub-zero drive to eliminate sub-standard housing conditions in greater Bangor,” says Brenton Murray, a spokesperson for the group. “Winters are really harsh for people trapped in poverty housing. We’d like the public to think about local families who are struggling to survive this time of year.”

Murray also noted that Maine State Housing Authority, MaineHousing, estimates there are approximately 3,000 substandard housing units in the Bangor area.

The students also are planning a concert Feb. 7 at 8 p.m. at Anderson Hall at 19 Bennoch Road in Orono as a follow-up fundraiser. A variety of local bands and DJ’s will participate.

The Habitat for Humanity UMaine Campus Chapter is dedicated to eliminating poverty housing, and to making decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. Habitat for Humanity invites people of all backgrounds, races, religions and beliefs to build houses together in partnership with families in need.

For more information about the UMaine student chapter of Habitat for Humanity or sponsorship information, contact Brenton Murray at (480) 201-4678 or Tim Brauer at (203) 414-6143.