SMITHVILLE, Miss. (WTVA) - Imagine giving up a part of your Christmas break to build a house and a building for a non-profit group.
Some out-of-state college students and volunteers are building a place where female victims of violent crimes can live.
Volunteers with Lend-A-Hand sacrificed a week of Christmas vacation to work in Smithville.
"We gave up our last week to travel down here," says Elizabethtown College student Rachael Smith. "We meet all these great people in Mississippi and we just love it and it's one of the things we love to do."
These college students say they're learning life experiences that aren't taught in the classroom.
"I mean it's a lot of fun. First of all, you get a lot of experience in construction. I personally never did anything like this, so it's a good learning experience," adds Elizabethtown student Matthew Doeing.
"This is the first time I have ever seen a disaster area before," stated Kelsie Levan of Elizabethtown College. "It's nice to see what the family actually went through and see how they're dealing with all the situations that they're in."
Homeowners are not charged for work done to their property.
However, Lend-A-Hand volunteers must pay a $300 fee; and students say it's worth every penny.
The fee will cover various expenses while the students are in the area.
The founder of Mourning After says it's a blessing to have an outpouring of love from complete strangers.
"It is nothing but a blessing straight from God," said Sherrel Clark. "I've had blessings. I've been blessed but nothing like since when this tornado hit Smithville."
Lend-A-Hand will continue working on a house and adjoining office building until Friday night.
They depart for Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania on Saturday morning.
