On June 11, three AmeriCorps members currently serving with Habitat for Humanity of Dane County went to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for the annual HFH AmeriCorps Build-a-Thon.  For the second year in a row, Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity hosted the event.  This year it was attended by roughly 500 AmeriCorps National Direct and VISTA members serving with Habitat affiliates across the country.

The need for affordable housing is especially great in the Cedar Rapids area, where nearly 4,000 homes were damaged by fast-rising water during the devastating floods of June 2008, the worst natural and economic disaster in Iowa's history. 

Members could choose to participate in new construction, rehabilitation, or repair projects. 

Below are pictures from one of the new construction sites.  This house, along with 10 others nearby, was erected and "dried-in" in 5 days.

 Day 1 morning     

Day 2 morning      

Day 3 morning      

Day 4 morning      

Day 5 morning      

Day 5 afternoon    

Day 5 afternoon (front of house)