Several hundred Kenan-Flagler Business School students and faculty members traded their textbooks for tools at the kickoff celebration for the Habitat for Humanity project Monday afternoon.
The event sought to bring volunteers from all areas of the school to join in an effort to better the Orange County community.
The project, which will run from Oct. 15 to Dec. 17, marks the first time a single department or school from UNC has taken on the sponsorship of an entire Habitat house.
Susan Levy, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Orange County, said she was inspired to see the partnership between the business school and the community service program.
"This a wonderful development for us," she said. "Not only will it provide funding, but also deepen our partnership with the University."
Levy introduced the Shah family - for whom the business school will build a home - at the event.
Habitat for Humanity selected the Shah family from a pool of applicants based on need, willingness to become partners in the program and their ability to repay the no-interest mortgage.
As a Habitat family, the Shahs are expected to pay $1,000 in closing costs as well as invest 325 hours of labor in the construction of their home and others' homes.
Habitat for Humanity provides a zero-interest mortgage of $67,500. The family will pay $350 a month to allow the organization to continue to construct houses for other area families.
