About 400 students, children and adults came out yesterday to participate in Habitat for Humanity's House Walk, a five-mile walk that raised money for the Penn State chapter's House Project.

Now in its 10th year, mainly because of students determined to raise money for the Habitat home they are going to build, House Walk had its largest turnout ever, said Habitat consultant Sue Smith. She said the walk set its sights to raise $35,000 for the $60,000 needed to build each house.

The goal of House Project is to raise money and provide labor for the building of a Habitat home in Centre County. The event was made possible by a board of 24 members, volunteers as well as families from Habitat homes, Smith said.

Following prayers from Rev. Robert Miller and Rabbi Jonathan Brown, the walk started out from the Grace Lutheran Church, corner of Garner Street and Beaver Avenue. The walk made its way to University Drive, Westerly Parkway and back to Beaver Avenue.

Along the way, volunteers from Nittany Amateur Radio were available for any walkers in need of assistance. Five people, including two children, were tired and received help in finishing the walk from volunteers with a vehicle provided by State College Ford Lincoln Mercury, Inc., 169 W. Aaron Dr., said a Nittany Amateur Radio volunteer. In addition, volunteers were stationed at three rest stops at Calvary Baptist Church, 1250 University Dr.; Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, 800 Westerly Parkway; and State College Presbyterian Church, 132 W. Beaver Ave.

The walk finished at Grace Lutheran Church where water, sandwiches and oranges were provided for the walkers while the band Retro Moose Trio played music that filled the room. Participants who entered lotteries won prizes such as gift certificates and merchandise from 48 donors.

The people involved had different reasons for participating besides the prizes.

Melissa Eisenhuth has been living in her Habitat home for three years and came out yesterday to run the five-mile walk with her two sons.

"I was touched when I became involved with Habitat for Humanity," she said. "I don't feel obligated (to be here). It's fun to come out and be part of something positive in the community."

Students like Tom Olmstead (junior-marketing and international business) walked to help people who have not been as fortunate as he has.

"I have been blessed with a lot of things, and I want to do all I can to invest my time and money to share that blessing," he said.