Phi Mu Alpha, a professional music and service fraternity, joined forces with NIU’s newly-formed chapter of Habitat for Humanity to help build a house for some of DeKalb’s less fortunate.

On Oct. 27, members of the Greek organization joined together at the corner of North Fourth Street and Short Avenue to participate in the community service project.

“Although we are a music organization, we’re not just restricted to just musical type things, and we want to help out the community any way we can,” said Francis David, Phi Mu Alpha philanthropy chair.

Ashley Pearson, NIU Habitat for Humanity campus chapter president, said much of the effort made to construct the house was done by NIU community members.

“The house that they are helping with is called the Huskie house,” Pearson said. “The majority of the funds, and the labor for the house, was contributed by NIU students and student groups.”

The fraternity helped construct parts of the roof by placing tarpaper and shingles on the house.

“It was a lot of fun knowing that we helped out people who were in need,” said Derek Ryan, probationary member of Phi Mu Alpha. “I would encourage anybody to go out and volunteer with the Habitat for Humanity program, no matter what they are involved in, because it’s a great opportunity to meet new friends and help people out.”

David said that after they finished their part of the project, the fraternity members felt a sense of accomplishment.

“It felt really good,” David said. “We know that a family in need is going to live in that house some day, and the fact that we were involved to help provide them that house made us feel real good.”

Pearson said Phi Mu Alpha has been a prominent campus organization that has participated meaningfully in the Habitat for Humanity project.

“It was really appreciated,” Pearson said. “They had about 30 people out there on rotation. They also had people taking photographs to put on our Web site and their own.”

The community service project not only helped a less fortunate family but also brought fraternity members together.

“I thought it was a good way to help out, and it is a good organization,” David said. “It was also a means as a group to spend time and work with each other, and that’s what builds the brotherhood.”

Pearson said that helping to build a home for another family is beneficial.

“It’s a great way to do community service,” Pearson said. “The families who are getting the house help work on it. All the houses are affordable and decent homes for families in need.”

For more information on how to participate in Habitat for Humanity, call 753-3332.

“We will have build dates available all winter where people can come out on a Saturday and donate their time that day to build,” Pearson said. “This house should be completed by the spring, and Kishwaukee Valley Habitat for Humanity will be starting another house next spring.”