Purdue FCA helps Haiti

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Houses built by Purdue students in Haiti are still standing.

The Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) at Purdue has traveled to Haiti for the past 16 years to build houses, basketball courts and other structures. Even after last week's earthquake, all structures they have worked on survived.

"We've helped build sidewalks all over," explained Purdue Athletic Chaplain Marty Dittmar. "Put in the floors to the school. We've put in the ceiling in the church. We put in the basketball court for the school which we dubbed Keady Court Two. We have put the foundation in for several of the buildings."

Purdue's Fellowship of Christian Athletes has built eight houses. All survived the earthquake. Purdue Senior J.D. Schaumberg said the materials they use could be one reason the buildings survived the earthquake.

"Materials we use are more flexible material than most used in Port-Au-Prince. I believe it is an area that is being watched over," he said.

"You've got good hands doing it and doing it for the right reason. I think that's why they are still standing up," Purdue Junior Kurt Lichtenberg said.

Now the group is looking for donations to take another trip to Haiti in May. They plan to build two houses while they are down there, which will cost almost $6,000.

"There are 24 student-athletes going down. First and foremost, they have to raise all their own money," Schaumberg said.

To help with costs, FCA is holding a fundraiser for their organization called Homes for Haiti at Noodles and Company on Monday January, 25 from 5:00-9:00 p.m. Twenty percent of all purchases will go to build houses in Haiti. The support the group is receiving from the community means a lot to them.

"It is great knowing that I'm being approached by people. It is a great feeling knowing I have, we have great people surrounding us here and approaching us about the situation," Lichtenberg said.

Purdue FCA has a Facebook group called Homes for Haiti and the group said anyone is welcome to join. It has information on how you can help. For more information on Purdue FCA's efforts in Haiti or to donate to the group click here.