Several divisions at Ball State University this month are participating in and financially supporting Greater Muncie Habitat for Humanity’s Awareness Build—another example of the University’s ongoing commitment to enhancing the social vitality of its community.
The Awareness Build is a five-day micro-build by community partners and local news, media, and strategic communications professionals which jumpstarts the Summer and Fall home builds for Habitat. In addition to raising funds, the mission of those participating in the build is to raise renewed awareness throughout the community of the ongoing demand for housing and growing need funding as building costs continue to rise.
Nearly 20 University employees volunteered over the five days of building and a combined $5,000 in financial support was provided by the University, the College of Communication, Information, and Media (including the School of Journalism and Strategic Communication and the Department of Media), the Chief Strategy Office, and the Division of Marketing and Communications.
“I’m grateful to the various departments and individuals who are participating in this initiative,” Ball State President Geoffrey S. Mearns said. “Whether it is our commitment to act for the benefit of society at large or demonstrating our gratitude through actions, supporting local organizations like Habitat aligns with our enduring values. It is my hope that more people will consider supporting Habitat and other organizations in our community that work every day to improve lives of our friends and neighbors in Muncie and Delaware County.”
Ball State Public Media and McKinley Avenue Agency—both entities at the University—are also supporting the build.
“The Awareness Build came about as a reinvention of what used to be called the Media Build many years ago for Habitat,” said Lindsey Arthur, Chief Executive Officer of Greater Muncie Habitat for Humanity. “I’m grateful that even as the media landscape has changed, there are individuals and organizations who are willing to help us shine a light on our ongoing needs. Ball State has been a key partner in our effort this summer, and we are grateful for the support.”
Other partners also part of this year’s Awareness Build include Indiana Public Radio, Woof Boom Radio, The Muncie Journal, NASH FM Radio, Aspect 6 Creative, The JMetzger Group, Intersection, and Trinity A Marketing.
Separately from the Awareness Build, the Ball State baseball team has remained a consistent partner of Habitat’s for more than 15 years across both of head coach Rich Maloney’s tenures in charge of the Cardinals. The team will be building with Habitat this Saturday.
“It’s a big day in our program each year because Habitat is a great organization that really makes a difference in the lives of people who otherwise wouldn’t be able to own a home,” Coach Maloney said. “Ball State’s pledge of Beneficence is about giving back, and I’ve always believed wholeheartedly in that.”
For the Awareness Build, this is the second year in a row the University has provided key support to a local organization for a marquee event. In the Spring of 2022, Ball State was the presenting sponsor of Rialzo—an annual charity gala for Meridian Health Services—by providing a facility for the event. Additionally, in 2022, there were more than 1,000 community engagement projects across campus, and in the last two years, more than 2,300 Ball State students have participated in 48,000 hours of community service.
For more information or to learn how to support Muncie Habitat for Humanity, visit munciehabitat.org.