AHS Habitat for Humanity Chapter

Alexander High School Students Form Habitat for Humanity Chapter
Posted on 12/04/2019

They’re raising $90,000 to build a new home for a local veteran!

Several ambitious, community-minded, big-hearted, hard-working students at Alexander High School have taken on an impressive project that would be daunting to many adults, but these students – some of whom aren’t even old enough to drive – are making it look easy. They’ve formed a Habitat for Humanity chapter and are raising $90,000 to build a home for a local veteran.

Sophomore Sutton Cadman, founder and president of the group, says he was inspired by his god brother to become involved in Habitat for Humanity. “I enjoy working with Habitat and wanted to see this area of service at my school,” explains Cadman. “There wasn’t a school Habitat chapter, so several friends and I started one.”

If all continues to go according to plan, construction on the new home will begin this spring in Veteran’s Place, a subdivision on Chicago Avenue in Douglasville. The student chapter and subdivision are affiliated with NW Metro Atlanta Habitat for Humanity. The subdivision is exclusively for veterans and their families and has space for eight houses; this one will be the fourth. “I want the home we build to benefit a veteran because I believe veterans have been overlooked,” says Cadman. “This is my way to give back to my community and veterans.” Cadman says the veteran who will own the home has not been chosen yet. “Veterans have to go through a process that’s handled by NW Metro. Any local veterans who want to apply can contact Jessica Gill with NW Metro,” says Cadman.

Since the start of the school year, Cadman and his fellow chapter members have been raising money through a 50/50 raffle, online auction, t-shirt sales, and yard sale. Future fundraisers may include a golf tournament and a poker or casino event. “We’ve presented plans for our project to local businesses and clubs, the local men’s prayer group, and the Chamber of Commerce," says Cadman about their fundraising efforts. "We’re willing to speak with any business, church, or civic club that will give us the opportunity to present our plans.” Cadman notes the chapter is about a third of the way to its goal of $90,000.

This impressive student-led project has caught the attention of Inspire Atlanta, a feature of the Atlanta Journal Constitution that spotlights “extraordinary people and uplifting stories that bring out the best in all of us.” The students and their efforts will be featured in Inspire Atlanta in January.

The chapter’s sponsor is Debbie Rager, chair of the English Department at AHS. Rager is quick to give credit to the chapter members and their parents. She says, “These kids don’t worry about can it be done; rather, they focus on how it can be done. They want to serve those who served their country.”

Rager goes on to say, “Their story touches me, as my family is a military family. I appreciate that these kids are, in essence, saying to our military: ‘thank you, we appreciate you, and we support you.’ I can think of no better way to demonstrate appreciation than working to serve our military personnel who have fallen on difficult times and need help. That's what Alexander High School's Habitat for Humanity chapter is doing, and I'm proud to be even a small part of this organization.”

Cadman’s fellow chapter founders and officers are Cameran Callicott, Vice President; Gracie Chaves, Treasurer; Anna Caputo, Secretary; Mylee Ward, Membership Officer; and Carson Hucks, Communications Officer.

To have Cadman or one of the officers speak to a group about their project, send an email to [email protected]. Cadman can also provide contact information for veterans who would like to go through the home ownership application process. To make a 100 percent tax deductible donation, click here.

AHS Habitat pic 

The Habitat for Humanity student chapter had a successful, but cold, yard sale fundraiser recently. Pictured, left to right, are officers Sutton Cadman, Mylee Ward, Cameran Callicott, Gracie Chaves, and Carson Hucks. Not pictured is Anna Caputo.

 AHS students at yard sale

Volunteers are tallying up the proceeds at the end of the yard sale. Pictured, left to right, are Morgan Ward, Shannon Ward, Maddie Lee, Sutton Cadman, Mylee Ward, and Presli Wilson.

 AHS Habitat chapter receives check

Sutton Cadman, center, receives a $2,000 donation from the American Legion.

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