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More than 150 College Students to Help Build Homes; Band to Highlight Day on HFHSA Construction Site

JANUARY 25, 2012 – More than 150 students from the University of Texas at San Antonio, St. Mary’s University, San Antonio College, Our Lady of the Lake University and Trinity University will gather Saturday at Coleman Ridge to help Habitat for Humanity of San Antonio build homes.

“It’s going to be a really fun day. We have always had tremendous support from area colleges and universities, so we decided to have a special day to invite everyone out,” said Sarah Arredondo, volunteer coordinator for HFHSA.

Also, according to organizers, hosting college students on their construction site fits in perfectly with HFHSA’s mission.

“These students are helping our Habitat families build a better foundation for their future… a future that is full of new opportunities for these families and their children,” explained Arredondo. She said research proves that children of homeowners do better in school and are 116% more like to graduate from college.

Highlighting the day will be a performance by Renevus, a Christian rock, indie and pop rock group from San Antonio.

Directions: Old Pearsall Road and Loop 410; from downtown San Antonio, take 35 South (toward Laredo) to 410 North; take Exit #2 (Old Pearsall Road); turn Left and go under bridge; take the first right onto Excellence Drive; follow the parking signs.

About Renevus: Founded in 2010, the San Antonio group is made up of Gideon Roberts (lead vocals, guitar, keys, and ukulele), Christian Tristan (lead guitar, glockenspiel) and Jerame Edwards (bass, guitar, keys, and melodica). Renevus is not strictly a band. It's a group of people on a mission to actually do something in this world with their music -- to make a difference and reach out to people who are hurt.

About Habitat for Humanity of San Antonio: Habitat for Humanity of San Antonio is an ecumenical, Christian organization working with families in need to build simple, decent and affordable homes without interest or profit. Habitat families are required to put in a minimum of 300 hours of “sweat equity,” meaning they help build their own home, the homes of their neighbors and they attend home ownership education classes. In turn, they purchase their homes on a 0% interest, 20-year mortgage. Their payments average about $400 a month, or about half the fair market rent for a two-bedroom apartment in the city. HFHSA plans to build 58 homes in 2012. HFHSA was founded in 1976 as the first U.S. affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International. The organization has built 737 homes since 1976.