Jessica Hines
Associate Editor
At merely 5-foot-2-inches she may seem small, but Nichole
Dezan leaves a big footprint. Her time and effort provide
homes for families in the High Country through her participation
in the Appalachian State University chapter of Habitat for
Humanity.
“I feel there’s a lot of people—especially
families—who deserve to have a house like the rest
of us,” Dezan said. “These people work really
hard to get these houses and they haven’t always been
given the best of luck.”
Last year, the Appalachian chapter of Habitat built two houses
for local families. The houses were completed and dedicated.
Dezan said she organized groups to visit elementary schools
with Habitat books. She said the books focused on subjects
like being a good friend.
Dezan started community service at her high school in Washington,
D.C., area. She said she volunteered for Meals-on-Wheels
and soup kitchens. She became involved with Habitat while
attending Appalachian.
“I got involved with Habitat my freshman year,”
Dezan said. “I started going to meetings and then I
became an officer my sophomore year.”
Although recent sickness prevented her from being as active
with Habitat this year, she said she intends to become more
involved.
“I figure it’s better to take it easy and relax
a little so it doesn’t come back,” she said.
“I wanted to give other people the chance to get involved.”
Dezan said there are many opportunities for service, including
many overseas. She said she plans to pursue international
ventures this coming summer by traveling to Ghana to teach
English.
“I’m going to see how this summer goes,”
she said. “That will tell me what countries I want
to get involved with, and what agencies.”
Habitat for Humanity is a nationally chartered organization
that provides low-cost housing to those who may not otherwise
be able to afford it.
“What I like about Habitat is that it has a national
charter, so you really have to abide by the rules. All money
raised by fundraisers goes directly to the tithes and building.
A lot of organizations lose money along the way through middlemen,”
she said.
The Appalachian chapter of Habitat works with the Watauga
Habitat for Humanity. The Watauga chapter chooses housing
recipients, Dezan said.
Through service learning projects at the university, many
other classes participate in Habitat for Humanity. Dezan
said there are many other local organizations that provide
fulfilling volunteer opportunities.
“I think any agency [in the area] that does a lot of
work and has good motives is a good way to get involved,”
she said. “I know a lot of agencies do good work around
here.
“It makes me feel good,” Dezan said. “I
feel proud of myself.” |
