With not much to do on a chilly Friday, some Syracuse University students traded their pillows and blankets for brushes and paint.

Home Headquarters, a non-profit organization that builds and renovates houses for homeowners, held its annual Block Blitz event on Culbert Street and Delong Avenue in North Syracuse.

During the event, which lasted from 9 a.m. to noon, volunteers completed different tasks on houses on the block. Kurt Harris, a worker for Home Headquarters, said that the organization works closely with the homeowners while organizing the project.

“It’s a whole process, but we look for at least 50 percent homeownership on the block before we choose it, just so that the homeowners have a say in what they want to be done to their property,” said Harris, who was busy repainting an old fire hydrant.

Even on a brisk autumn day, many were outside giving back to the Syracuse community.

“It’s really good to see everyone come out and help, especially the students. We had a lot of volunteers this year,” Harris said.

With an overwhelming amount of volunteers this year, Home Headquarters had to turn away some organizations. Nonetheless, many came to support the cause, including SU students. Students could be seen raking leaves and doing garden work.

Sonya Mattis, a sophomore information management and technology major, said she loved the experience and thought it was a great way for SU students to get involved in the community.

“I’m definitely doing this again next year. I really love helping the community,” said Mattis, who is determined to participate again next year. “Syracuse students get too accustomed to their fake wealth on the Hill, while people need help literally down the street.”

Many other students who participated in the Block Blitz event felt the same way as Mattis. Chelsea Mikell, a senior public health major, said there were many community service opportunities that SU students take for granted.

She added that because many SU students are not from the area, they can feel disconnected from the local community and might not feel inclined to volunteer.

Along with students, many companies and organizations came to Block Blitz to show their support. Anne Fusco and Pattie Mitchell of M&T Bank worked diligently on an occupied house on the block. They contributed by staining wood, removing trees, painting the foundation and fencing the house.

“I came all the way from Watertown to participate. It’s a great feeling,” Mitchell said.

Reggie and Patricia, two homeowners, both thought it was a blessing to have volunteers work on their house in such a community. Their son could be seen playing a game of catch with Jahnise Slaughter, a junior mechanical engineering major.

“I’ve been here since noon painting poles, fixing lawns and picking up trash,” Slaughter said. It feels really cool to help out because we are sometimes so sheltered up on the Hill.”

Published on September 15, 2014 at 12:01 am

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