Collegiate Times

A nurse, a rock star, a disco dancer, an Olympian and a couple from the 19th century came together Saturday, Feb. 25, to be a part of Habitat for Humanity's annual Mardi Gras Ball. This costume/black tie affair was held at the German Club Manor to raise money for Virginia Tech's chapter of Habitat for Humanity.

A silent auction, caricaturist, blues band and a New Orleans-style dinner, enhanced with decorations made by the Habitat volunteers themselves, created a true Mardi Gras atmosphere. By way of invitation, previous attendees and mailing list subscribers were notified of the event - and its $75 ticket price.

In all, 91 guests replied to the event, which was run by 14 Habitat volunteers. The night netted the group roughly $3,000.

This money will be put into an account run by the New River Valley chapter of Habitat for Humanity. Robert McMains, treasurer of Habitat for Humanity, said the hope is to use this money to fund their own house. Volunteers do all the manual labor in constructing houses like one for the group, but materials can be costly, totaling over $35,000.

However big the current need, McMains is optimistic.

?Hopefully, by the end of next year, we will have those kinds of funds,? he said.

Building Chair Coordinator Eric Gustafsson said at fund-raising functions like these, the cause is the most important thing.

?The people that we give the houses to are the best part,? said Gustafsson.

Two guests, Priscilla and Rick Ellison, agree with Gustafsson. They've been coming to the charity ball for several consecutive years.

The Ellisons are members of Blacksburg Methodist church and came with five other couples who are also active in Habitat for Humanity. Over the years, their church has donated over $30,000 to the cause. Pricilla Ellison hopes that her contribution will make a difference in her area.

?What they need is to build more houses here in Blacksburg,? she said.

Established in 1988, Virginia Tech's chapter of Habitat for Humanity has built four houses in Blacksburg and has helped with numerous other projects in the New River Valley. Just recently, the chapter finished two houses in Pulaski and Fairlawn, and is scheduled to start working on a subdivision in the near future.