West Virginia University student organizations will assist Monongalia County Habitat for Humanity in building a new home for a needy family on property donated by a local bank.

WesBanco of Morgantown recently donated a piece of property on College Avenue to the Habitat organization, and Barton Loar, WesBancos North Central Regional President and chairman of Greater Morgantown Community Trust grant committee, presented Chris Haddox, Executive Director of Monongalia County Habitat for Humanity, with $500 as seed money for the project.

Building on the existing Habitat for Humanity student group, Haddox wanted to find a way to get more WVU students involved.

“The bank had the property, Ron Justice has the students, and all we needed to do was put the puzzle pieces together,”Haddox said.

Justice, coordinator for Greek Affairs/Students at WVU and also mayor of Morgantown, said he is not just limiting this project to Greek organizations, but rather offering this opportunity to all student groups.

Jana Matish of Bridgeport, adviser to Panhellenic Council, works with student groups on a daily basis and is hopeful that there will be a”big effort”made by the various organizations.

Vice President of Mountaineer Maniacs, T.J. ONeill of Richmond, Va., said his student booster group is eager to get involved.

“The Maniacs are just as passionate about community service as they are toward Mountaineer sports,”ONeill said.

Monongalia County Habitat for Humanity continues to work through the summer. The organization tentatively is planning a triathlon fund-raiser in August with the help of BOPARC and WVU Hospitals. They also hope to have a childrens version of the course.

Student organizations interested in joining this project should contact Haddox or Justice at 292-0914 or 293-4605.