SAN MARCOS, Calif. – Members of the Cal State San Marcos women's golf and softball teams donated their time and a helping hand to the San Diego chapter of Habitat for Humanity on Saturday, Nov. 1.  CSUSM's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) organized the event.

The house where the Cougars helped rehabilitate is located at 1168 Mulberry Dr. and is less than three miles away from campus.   
 
"Volunteering for Habitat for Humanity was a truly rewarding experience for our student-athletes," said SAAC advisor Lara Kehkedjian. "It was great to see how much ground can be covered in one day and positively impactful to work with an organization who energizes the community in building or rehabilitating entire homes."
 
"Volunteers are the backbone of Habitat for Humanity," said Shandy Arwood, Habitat for Humanity Community Engagement Manager.  "Each year, over 7,000 volunteers work on our jobsites, in our office and in our ReStores.  Volunteers help transform lives by providing free labor on our construction sites.  Keeping construction costs down allows Habitat to provide home ownership opportunities to deserving families.  Habitat is extremely grateful to all of our volunteers."
 
Homeowners assume a zero-interest mortgage and work on their home and other families' homes. The work creates a true commitment to ownership from the homeowner and helps them make a better life for their family, according to Habitat officials.
 
Quotes from other SAAC members in attendance:
 
"I'm thankful for the humbling opportunity of being able to help those in need throughout our community with my fellow student-athletes," said junior softball first baseman Brogan Hoenisch. "It was a rewarding experience that I will never forget."
 
"Working with habitat for humanity was a great experience," said sophomore women's golfer and SAAC vice president Christina Trujillo. "The greatest reward is knowing that our hard work is going to help a family in our community."