Wright State student-athletes make a lasting impact on local family, more to come

Over the past year, nearly 200 Wright State University student-athletes and coaches logged close to 1,000 volunteer hours helping to build a home for a local family through Habitat for Humanity.

Working in multiple build events organized by the Athletics Department, Raiders from every sport assembled all the home’s wall panels, contributing 894 service hours that saved $31,102 in labor costs. Their work became part of a new house for Dayton resident Charlotte Carter and her three children.

 “At Wright State, you get local students who go to that university, get a great education and stay here,” said David Mauch, a 1995 Wright State alumnus who serves as development director for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Dayton. “Then they make our community better.”

Mauch nicknamed the house the “Raider Nation Home,” reflecting Wright State students’ involvement.

Carter, who volunteered with Habitat for Humanity for over a year, received the keys to her new home from Joylynn Brown, Wright State director of athletics, while standing in her new kitchen surrounded by friends and family.

“This is so important to my family,” said Carter. “We thank everybody who came out to help us.”

Jeff Fleck, Wright State women’s bowling coach, attended the dedication ceremony and was happy to see the progress made since his team helped build walls on campus.

“I thought I would come out and see the fruits of our labor,” said Fleck. “This is incredible.”

The New Carlisle home was a collaborative effort between Wright State University, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Dayton and Wright-Patt Credit Union.

The partnership will continue with another project this spring. On April 12, Wright State student-athletes will gather again in Lot 4 to help another local family achieve their dream of home ownership.

Mauch said he was honored to collaborate on the Raider Nation Build and is looking forward to the next one.

“It’s a pleasure and something I’m really proud of because I’m a better person for having gone to Wright State,” he said.