June 18, 2005
ORLANDO - Members of the UCF men's basketball team gave back to the community on Saturday, working with HomeBanc Mortgage Corporation and Habitat for Humanity to build a home for a family on West Kaley Street in Downtown Orlando. The Golden Knights worked alongside the future homeowners on the project.
The UCF student-athletes were assisting to construct a home for Luis Ufeo and Hawa ElFahal and their five children. The family is originally from Sudan.
"As a team, it is important for us to be out here helping the community and helping people who are less fortunate," said senior Justin Rose. "It does not take much to come out for a couple of hours and lend a hand."
The men's basketball squad was the second group of UCF student-athletes to work at the homesite. Players from the football and women's basketball teams were on hand for the groundbreaking and first build day on June 4.
On Saturday, the Golden Knights worked on landscaping and roofing. The UCF players had an opportunity to work with other volunteers, including a large contingent from HomeBanc.
"It is good for the team to see how others in the community sacrifice for this [Ufeo] family," said UCF assistant coach Craig Brown. "This is a learning lesson for the players. We all got up early as a team, joining Habitat for Humanity and HomeBanc, who both do a great job with this project."
Other UCF student-athletes are scheduled to aid with construction on July 16 and 23 and Aug. 6 and 27.