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��������Ƶ University students and staff will spend time over Christmas break lending a helping hand to families in need. Approximately 15 ��������Ƶ volunteers will travel to , to work on projects for January 16-22, 2011.

The ��������Ƶ volunteers will be working on homes in the rural areas around , from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. They will be working to build a new home as well as assisting in the rehabilitation of existing homes in which individuals currently reside.

The Christmas break trip provides opportunities for students to assist the very young and the elderly, the unemployed and economically disadvantaged, the homeless and the disabled. This particular service outreach program will help build and renovate homes for low-income families.

“We are all very excited about our upcoming trip to North Carolina,” said Diana Hoover, Ph.D., assistant professor of chemistry. “Working with is an incredible experience for everyone involved, especially when you have the opportunity to work side by side with a homeowner on his/her new home.”

The 12 student volunteers include: Laura Boord, sophomore, of Columbiana, Ohio, Ashley Dorry, senior, of Bethlehem, Pa., Emily Franicola, freshman, of Darragh, Pa., Catherine Goetz, junior, of St. Mary’s, Pa., Holli Gonder, senior, of Jeannette, Pa., Giannina Gonzalez, sophomore, of Fredericksburg, Va., Kellie Kucera, senior, of McKeesport, Pa., Katie Lemon, senior, of Lower Burrell, Pa., Amanda Leonard, junior, of Alverton, Pa., Julia Madigan, junior, of Comstock Park, Mich., Benjamin Poorbaugh, senior, of Scottdale, Pa. and Kayleigh Ruffner, senior, of North Huntingdon, Pa.

The three staff volunteers include Darren Achtzehn, director of dining services, Geoffrey Atkinson, Ph.D., assistant professor of mathematics and Hoover.