• Unemployed Volunteers Giving Back
• Habitat for Humanity House in Monroe involved student work
• Disabled mom eager to move into accessible Habitat home
• Habitat for Humanity's ‘Weekend Build' kicks off
• Wanted: Future homeowners
• Blitz Build to wrap up with home dedications
• Airport student incorporates work with Habitat into Eagle Scout project
• Blitz on in bid to build 3 new houses in 12 days
• Stepping up to help out
• Senior makes most of opportunity
• Students team up to build Habitat house

Airport student incorporates work with Habitat into Eagle Scout project

by Michelle Swartz, June 23. 2006 11:42AM

link to this article @ www.MonroeNews.com

Last year, Austin Machcinski agreed to volunteer for Habitat for Humanity to gain necessary service hours.

He's been hooked ever since. The 17-year-old enjoyed the volunteer work and helped build homes again this year during the Blitz Build.

"I'm still going. I liked it from the beginning. I like meeting new people, especially people who take time off from work just to volunteer their time," said Austin, who will be a senior at Airport High School in the fall. "I also met all the families (who will be living in Habitat-built homes) and learned some new trades."

Austin, the son of Rhonda Machcinski of Carleton, used his Habitat experience to complete a service project in order to become an Eagle Scout in Boy Scout Troop 568 in Flat Rock. He will attempt to become an Eagle Scout in the fall.

"I decided to build picnic tables for each Habitat family this year," he said of the six Monroe families. "They are excited about it. I already have them done, but I still have to give the tables to all the families."

Austin visited local lumber yards for materials and donations. He said he received the materials on discount and was able to save half the amount he expected to spend.

"I needed to raise $600, but I only had to pay $276," he explained. "I collected $309 in pop bottles, so I had enough."

Members of his troop helped him collect empty bottles at Milan Dragway. Fellow troop members also helped Austin build the picnic tables.

"I didn't have any experience (building tables), but our Scoutmaster helped us. We also sanded and coated the tables," he said.

"We learned a lot, and the families seem happy about it."

~ Michelle Swartz