Students built a house in the middle of the Reitz Union North Lawn on Friday.
The wooden house was constructed as part of World Habitat Day, an event sponsored by the UF chapter of Habitat for Humanity.
The group wanted to promote environmentally friendly lifestyle changes and the need to help the less fortunate.
“People buy nails, using whatever spare change they have in their pockets, write down the change they wish to see in the world, and nail it onto the house,” said Annaliese Thuijs, the vice president for Habitat for Humanity.
The messages varied from inspirational memos such as ‘smile more’ to various other wishes of peace and change.
The house was built by UF Habitat for Humanity members throughout the day.
It took approximately three hours for the group to complete the house.
“It could have probably taken about an hour and a half, but people came and built in between classes,” Thuijs said.
“It’s sort of how habitat works; people come out when they can, even if they’re really busy.”
Members of the group also handed out free soda to those who stopped by, with the condition that those who accepted the drinks finished the bottle at the table.
“We want to see you recycle it,” Thuijs said.
The event was a first for the organization.
Habitat for Humanity members works on a variety of construction projects throughout the city of Gainesville.
