Nails Driven Into New Homes
 

Today marks the second anniversary of the 2008 Flood and for many of us in the Cedar Rapids area, it is a memory still as fresh as ever. Work began today on the new construction site as well as the rehabs and A Brush with Kindness repair projects. But it was very reminiscent of 2008 as we were hit with torrential rain that caused a stream of water to flow the length of the build site. Crews wanted to continue working as walls are already being raised, but for safety reasons, all workers were pulled from the sites. Corn stalk "carpet" was laid out and work will begin anew tomorrow morning.

Iowa state Representative Kirsten Running-Marquardt tied on a nail apron and joined the AmeriCorps members this morning, swinging a hammer and getting walls into place. She was excited to get to work and we were thrilled to have her on site!

As all of the AmeriCorps stepped down from the buses this morning, it was so humbling to see so many people ready to go to work in a city they didn't call their own, with families they didn't even know. Speaking with one of the members he said, "It's about serving the families, however we get it done." In the next few days to come, we Cedar Rapidians may be very cognoscente of the Flood anniversary, but new lives and memories are being built with every nail driven and every wall raised.

Visit the 2010 Build-a-Thon Page

Posted by Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity on Sunday, June 13, 2010
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