For 30 years, students from Rockford University have spent their spring break not on beaches but on construction sites in Starkville, helping build homes with Starkville Habitat for Humanity.

The long-running partnership was celebrated Monday night when members of the Crusader Sunday School Class at First Presbyterian Church hosted 26 Rockford students, staff and alumni, along with Habitat staff, for dinner.

The gathering marked three decades of collaboration that began in 1996, when a group of Rockford students from Rockford, Illinois, first traveled to Starkville to work on a Habitat house during spring break. That same year, the church’s Crusader Sunday School Class provided a meal for the volunteers – a tradition the class has continued nearly every year since.

“Everyone in our Sunday school class looks forward to hosting the Rockford group,” said Peggy Branch, a former Starkville Habitat employee and class coordinator for the event. “It is like old home week since we get to see Rockford alumni who have come and consistently volunteered their time over 10 to 17 years to build a Habitat house with current Rockford students.”

Rockford University encourages students to complete volunteer hours as part of their degree programs, and many students use the weeklong Habitat trip to meet that requirement while gaining hands-on experience.

One student said he signed up partly because he could complete 40 hours of community service in one week.

“I love it,” he said of Starkville. “The weather is really nice. The people are very, very nice, and the culture, though different, is really nice.”

For others, the trip becomes something they return to year after year.

Christopher Durham, a Rockford alumnus who lives in Florida, has spent part of his vacation traveling to Starkville for 17 years to work alongside students.

“I was on the very first trip in 1996, and it is hard to believe 30 years ago I was in this room and working to build my first house,” Durham said. “I come back because I enjoy working with all the students, being in Starkville, helping all the families, and working with the churches we have made friends with.”

Lynn McCarty, another Rockford alum, said this year marked her 10th Habitat trip to Starkville.

“I came three times while I was in college, and seven times as an alum now,” McCarty said. “I’m here with two of my friends I graduated with in 2004, and it feels good to spend time helping other people like we did in college instead of just wasting time somewhere on vacation. I also think it sets a good example for my two children to use my vacation time to serve others.”

Current students say the experience goes beyond simply learning construction skills.

Ashley Harkey, a Rockford junior, first traveled to Starkville three years ago.

“I decided to pay a little bit of money and come down South to help everyone,” Harkey said. “I love volunteering, and I keep coming back because I love the environment and the people. It’s an amazing time.”

Rockford student Klownui Pler said the trip also has spiritual meaning for him.

“When I heard about this Rockford mission trip to Mississippi to help build a house for people in need, it made me beg the question, ‘What is my reasoning for living?’” Pler said. “Building a house for someone who needs it became a calling to come here and really experience that relationship with God I had in the past.”

Throughout the week, volunteers are working on several projects, including interior painting, installing exterior siding, preparing framing for a new house and assisting with donation pickups, said Rockford student Dylan Nunez.

Starkville Habitat Executive Director Amanda Henry said volunteers like the Rockford group are essential to the organization’s work.

“We very much depend on volunteer labor to build our Habitat homes, and we are lucky to be in a college town with access to a lot of student volunteers,” Henry said. “We also enjoy having college groups from other parts of the country who participate in Habitat’s national Collegiate Challenge program visit us.”

Henry said Starkville Habitat is the only Collegiate Challenge site in Mississippi.

“The students love coming down here because they are well taken care of with Southern hospitality, and the community groups that help feed them love hosting them,” she said. “It’s really a win-win.”

Several Starkville organizations help provide meals for visiting volunteers, including Modern Woodmen, Delta Sigma Theta, the Starkville Global Methodist Church Tuesday’s Ladies Group and the Starkville Town and Country Garden Club.

Members of the Crusader Sunday School Class prepared Monday night’s dinner, serving favorites such as fried chicken and banana pudding — a recipe that volunteers eagerly request each year.

First Presbyterian Church has long supported Starkville Habitat for Humanity. Three church members have served as Habitat executive directors, and others have served on the board. Church members also built an entire Habitat house several years ago.

“You know with all the chaos and strife in the world right now, it is nice to know we have people willing to help others and even pay their way to come build a house for someone who needs it,” said Nelson Jones, a member of the Crusader Sunday School Class. “It gives us all a glimmer of hope for the future.”