• Article Photo. Cedar 2 members and Habitat staff pose with Brutus the Buckeye.
    Cedar 2 members and Habitat staff pose with Brutus the Buckeye.
  • Article Photo. Corps member Daniel Bossier assists volunteers in planting mums in a neighbor's front yard.
    Corps member Daniel Bossier assists volunteers in planting mums in a neighbor's front yard.

By: Ilexis Elba

Cedar 2 just finished their last project of the year in Columbus, Ohio. The team served on a two-week project with Habitat for Humanity-MidOhio. One of their priority tasks was to attract volunteers to project sites, as well as make that experience memorable and enjoyable. The team had a great time with construction leads and volunteers alike.

The team was involved in one of Habitat’s biggest events, known as Rock the Block on Saturday, October 26. Rock the Block provides a focus on neighborhood revitalization by assisting residents with minor repairs, exterior beautification and weatherization. These events are strategically planned in neighborhoods where a new house construction site will begin in the near future.  Work is done on both the future house lots and those of their neighbors. The event familiarizes the neighbors with Habitat’s coming presence and promotes outreach in that location.

The attendance for the event was impressive. Around 40 volunteers showed up, some of whom were a part of a Girl Scout troop, and Cedar 2 was able to guide them with various landscaping and litter removal tasks. “I loved working with the Girl Scout troop and their families. We picked up trash along the alleyways and sidewalks surrounding the work sites,” shared team member Maryann Walbert. Brutus the Buckeye – Ohio State University’s mascot and a local celebrity – made a promotional appearance at the event as well and joined in on some of the event tasks.