Maggie Kramer and Lauren Bass
Selfless, caring, and passionate are three words that can be used to describe Maggie Kramer. Kramer was one of the leaders for one of the five trips for Habitat for Humanity this year.
Habitat for Humanity is an international organization that works to improve the lives of poverty stricken people. Specifically, Habitat for Humanity works to address poverty housing issues.
This was her fourth trip that she has taken for Habitat for Humanity. Since she is a junior you may wonder how she just completed her fourth trip. Proving her dedication and love for service, Kramer actually started taking Habitat trips while she was still in high school. Knowing how important service was to her is what encouraged Kramer to come to Wittenberg.
This year, Kramer co-led a trip with Lauren Bass to Monroe, North Carolina. The group was made up of nine other students including Kramer and Bass. Kramer said this trip was one unlike any of the others that she’s gone on because this time, they destroyed stuff.
“We did demolition and got to completely destroy an awning down to its beams, and it was awesome,” Kramer said.
Kramer said the best part of these trips is the new relationships that she has created with people along the way. Kramer met a man almost four years ago, on her very first Habitat for Humanity trip, who remembered her when she returned this year.
“You learn so much about people, and you learn their stories as they share their life with you,” Kramer said. “It’s also cool because the people that are working beside you are the people that you are doing the work to help.”
Community service is something that Kramer holds in high value. Since she has been in college, she has made the realization just how important it is to give back.
“It’s the feeling you get knowing that you are making a difference,” Kramer said. “It’s an amazing feeling.”
Even with the main purpose of her most recent trip being demolition, she knows that it’s going to do good for someone someday. When I asked Kramer what few words she would use to describe everything after it was over, she had two words. “Exhaustion,” she said. “Definitely after a full weeks work, you’re tired, but in all, just straight up happiness.” The formation of new relationships with other students on campus was something that contributed to this happiness but also the feeling she gets every time she knows what she is doing is making someone else’s life better.
“It is an incredible experience and everyone that can go, should do one,” Kramer said. Her passion is evident and that is what makes her a hero. Her dedication to service is inspiring and changes the lives of so many. So thank you Maggie, for everything that you have done and everything that you will continue to do.
– Kristina Fultz
The Hero Project 