July 18, 2005
ORLANDO - Members of the UCF football 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.
This was the second outing for the football team at the community project. Several members of the team will also lend a hand this weekend.
Over 25 members of the team have worked on the project, including Steven Moffett, Kyle Israel, Kyle Storey, Blake Carter, Jordan Richards, Keith Williams, Jason Venson, Breon Rogers, Marlon Williams and Sheldon Shakespeare this past weekend.
"It was really good to go out and help the family," stated Israel. "We met the woman who will live there and because of that it made it even more special. It enabled our team to get together outside the weight room or football field and brought us closer as a team. We will remember this in years to come and it is something we all really enjoyed."
"It was really nice for all of us to come together and help the community," added sophomore defensive tackle Keith Shologan. "It was fun for us to work with different athletes from the other sports on the project."
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.
The Golden Knights report for the start of preseason camp August 5. The first practice of the season is scheduled for August 6.