By MELISSA WALKER

Staff Writer

Of all the people victimized by the tsunami, one family's household will be restored, thanks to the money raised by the American Institute of Architecture Students.

Christie Jones, the president of AIAS and a senior architecture major, said the organization's original goal of $2,000 was exceeded by the $2,300 they ultimately raised.

"It takes $2,000 to build a house through Architecture for Humanity," Jones said. "They are able to do this by using local labor and materials."

Jones said she purposefully set the goal high and was, at times, discouraged.

"[Raising the money] was a daunting task," Jones said. "I got back the first box and it had $23 in change. I wondered how we would get to $2,000."

Jones said several businesses, parents and mostly students contributed to the eventual goal achievement.

"I was really impressed with the people who forfeited their time to help other people," Jones said. "It was especially impressive because architecture students are notorious for being busy, staying up all night working on projects."

Jones said the fundraiser also met a goal she has for the architecture students involved with AIAS.

"I want to introduce my peers to their ability to help people," Jones said. "Once we leave [Tech], we have unique and diverse skills that we can use to help our community."

Shelly Strange, a member of AIAS and a junior architecture major, said her role in the project was to contribute to the success.

"I was really surprised and proud of the community for helping us," Strange said. "We felt like this [project] was something that really needed our help; it wasn't for our organization."

Strange said the main reason the club got involved was to benefit the tsunami victims. She also said it changed her perception of what happened.

"When I first heard about the tsunami, I thought it was someone else's problem," Strange said. "I didn't realize how big it was."

Hart Marlow, a member of AIAS and a sophomore architecture major, said he also realizes the impact of the tsunami.

"It's probably the worst thing that has happened to anyone," Marlow said. "It's particularly bad because it happened to a Third World country."

Marlow said he feels it is the responsibility of financially blessed countries and individuals to help out.

"Everyone has to come together to fix what happened," Marlow said. "If the architecture students were there, we would be rebuilding. Raising money was the closest thing to that we could do."