Updated 07/09/2011 04:08 PM
Habitat collects lumber from USBC Women's Championships
Organizers and competitors with the USBC Women's Championships are packing up and leaving Syracuse. But their time here will not be forgotten. In fact, their visit will make a lasting impression through Habitat for Humanity. Our Iris St. Meran has more on how the disassembled bowling alley is now being used to help others.
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SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- For three months this was home to the U.S. Bowling Congress Women's championships. Now, portions of this bowling alley will be used in the homes of deserving families.
"Bowling tournament's over. They're taking down the walls and everything. We're salvaging the wood for Habitat for Humanity," said Habitat for Humanity Project Manager Greg Wright.
It will take about a week to complete. Dozens of volunteers pull nails from these two-by-fours which will frame the interior of four to six homes.
USBC Women's Championships Registration Manager Brian Whitman said, "It would just end up probably in a landfill somewhere, just thrown away for the most part. We don’t, that kind of material we don't transfer from year to year."
This is the first year that Grace and Martin Leff have worked with Habitat for Humanity. The mother and son team say they've always wanted to volunteer with the organization and figured now was a good time.
Grace Leff said, "It brings a certain education to it. You're doing hands on, working with people that know how to use tools and also have something similar in common with you."
"I think I could definitely want to come back. It certainly would be enjoyable again," said Martin Leff.
When the volunteers are done they will have salvaged between $15,000 to $18,000 worth of lumber. If they didn't do this habitat for humanity would have to fundraise in order to buy the supplies.
So now they get started sooner on future projects instead of using that time to find funding.
"Merry Christmas, early," said Wright.
An early start to continue helping people in need.
A number of volunteers have signed up for this project, but more are always needed. To learn about about how you can help, visit www.syracusehabitat.org.