What does your house, your home, mean to you?

As part of an awareness campaign, Habitat for Humanity St. Tammany West sponsored an art show, competition and fundraiser for third-graders in St. Tammany Parish schools.

Rachel Reilly, an Americorps volunteer working with Habitat this past year, developed the contest as a way to introduce the idea of community engagement at an early age to cultivate the culture of philanthropy in the community.

The Building Through Art program was initiated by Americorps volunteer Rachel Reilly, working through Habitat for Humanity St. Tammany West. Reilly is pictured with participants of the art show at the St. Tammany Art Association Friday night. They are, from left: Madison Aubert, Abigail Mc Lain, Zachary Schmidt, William Sauerwin, Jacob Rodriguez, Aleah Wight and Peggy Sharpe of St. Tammany Parish Schools. (Staff Photo by Debbie Glover)

The students participated in a discussion about how Habitat for Humanity works and why it is important to volunteer and help others.

The third-graders wrote “What Home Means to Me” and drew a picture of their house for the contest. Ten entries were selected and framed for the art show that took place at the St. Tammany Art Association’s Art House as part of the Columbia Street Block Party held last Friday.

The framed works were sold for a minimum donation of $50. Half of the proceeds went to Habitat and the other half went back to the schools’ art departments to buy supplies.

Abigail McLain, 9, of Covington Elementary School wrote: “I like my house because I have my beautiful garden. I like my house because I like the welcome sign to make people feel welcome in my house.”

Madison Aubert from Lyon Elementary wrote, “I drew me and my mom because I love her. I drew flowers because they smell good and because six is my favorite number.”

Zachary Schmidt of Covington Elementary wrote, “My house is special because I have a hammock filled with love, a pond filled with happiness and parents and a brother who are the best.”

“I drew a picture of my dog and her name is Cammy and she is a pointer. We have a garden because we like growing our own food,” William Sauerwin said. “I drew the birds that fly by our house and eat out of the bird feeder.” He attends Lyon Elementary.

Jacob Rodriguez said, “Home means to me a good family. My pets are what I love most. I love my family too!” He attends Magnolia Trace Elementary.

Aleah Wight of Woodlake Elementary said, “I love my house because my family lives in it and I have somewhere to play. I have palm trees down my driveway and my playhouse is at my house.”

Peggy Sharpe, fine arts supervisor for the St. Tammany Parish school system, said Reilly told her what she wanted to do and then Sharpe e-mailed the teachers and principals. Participation was strictly voluntary, and Sharpe said the project involved multiple disciplines, including art, writing, English and most of all, thinking. “They really thought about what makes a good community partner,” she said.