Upperclassmen are familiar with the rickety shack-adorned atmosphere of the Brickyard this time of year. Freshmen, too, will soon learn the ways of Shack-a-Thon.

This year will mark the 20th anniversary of one of the most popular traditions on campus. The annual fundraiser by Habitat for Humanity began in 1991 with one shack, and has taken place annually ever since.

According to Matt Woelfle, president of the campus chapter of Habitat for Humanity, the event kicks off every year on a Sunday with the construction of the shacks. Then, they are occupied continuously from 8:00 AM on Monday through 5:00 PM on Friday. Throughout this entire time, shack dwellers have the goal of raising more money for Habitat for Humanity than their competitor shacks.

“While in the shacks, the organizations solicit money by all imaginable means, including pan handling, selling raffle tickets, and selling food,” Woelfle said.

According to Woelfle, a senior in civil engineering, there will be 17 shacks this year, including the top four fundraising shacks from last year, the Habitat for Humanity Shack, the Student Media Shack, and 11 shacks that were bid upon by 24 organizations.

According to Woelfle, the event grossed $16,891 last year. This year, he said, the goal is $20,000.

“We already saw a 16% increase in money raised on bid night as compared to last year,” Woelfle said. “We are hoping this trend continues.”

Woelfle said that $20,000 is enough to sponsor one-third of a Habitat home.

Creativity is a key component of the event, according to Alyson Harding, secretary of the campus chapter of Habitat for Humanity.

“We encourage organizations to be creative with their fundraising,” Harding said. “Some hold bake sales or sell shirts. Last year one shack was painted Carolina blue and you could pay a dollar to help paint it red.”

Woelfle said that as long as the shacks are structurally sound, anything goes.

“We have had shacks in the past ranging from a wolf head to a pirate ship to very shack-tastic shacks which involve some creative construction and supports,” Woelfle said.

Creativity is not only necessary for building the shacks, but also for participants to accomplish what they are supposed to: raise money for Habitat for Humanity.

“Creativity also comes into play when raising money, as shacks are competing against each other for passerby’s money,” Woelfle said.

According to Harding, all types of campus organizations, including fraternities, religious groups, scholarships groups and academic organizations, participate in the event. Habitat for Humanity provides wood for the shacks of the top four fundraising shacks from last year, and the other shacks are responsible for their own wood.

Emily Bissett, a sophomore in nutrition science, is a team leader for Park/Franklin/Jefferson Scholars shack this year.

“After seeing the great work Shack-a-Thon does, I was convinced that I wanted to be a part of it this year,” Bissett said.

Bissett said that her team would be obtaining their building materials – bamboo and wood – from Craigslist.

“Our idea is to make the shack a tiki hut type theme with the bamboo,” Bissett said.

Last year, the event was somewhat impacted by the presence of the Brickyard Bubble, the large temporary structure that provided seating during renovations of the Atrium.

“We were forced to split up the shacks, which made it hard for the shacks to form a community,” Harding said. “We’re looking forward to the unity that will be restored at this year’s Shack-a-Thon.”

According to Harding, this unity and fellowship is one of the most important results of the event.

“The event brings together the community, giving people a central location to live and socialize for a week,” Harding said. “It’s always a great atmosphere, as there are people around at every shack to meet and talk to.”

“There is a general sense of jocularity and friendship that pervades the shack village,” Woelfle said.

Woelfle even compared it to another longstanding N.C . State tradition: tailgating.

“Staying in a shack during Shack-a-Thon is a bit like participating in a week-long tailgate,” Woelfle said. “People can be seen sitting outside their shacks chatting and hanging out while still keeping an eye out for potential donors.”

Harding said she views the tradition as one of the most important at N.C . State.

“In addition to raising money and awareness for Habitat for Humanity, Shack-a-Thon brings together the community, giving people a central location to live and socialize for a week.”

Bissett said she hopes that her group will raise a lot of money for the cause and strengthen bonds with other groups in the process.

“Primarily, we hope to raise a large sum of money for Habitat for Humanity,” Bissett said. “I also hope the shack will be a group bonding activity and strengthen friendships between and within the different organization groups.”