JOPLIN, Mo. —
Not everyone can play for the St. Louis Cardinals or the Kansas City Chiefs, but all are invited to team up with the major athletic organization of their choice to build 35 houses this summer with Joplin Area Habitat for Humanity.
Gov. Jay Nixon on Thursday was in Joplin to encourage volunteers to autograph a sign-up sheet for this summer’s Governor’s Joplin Habitat Challenge. He said he would like to have 3,000 to 5,000 people join the rolls at www.mo.gov.
Sports organizations, including the Kansas City Royals, the St. Louis Rams, the St. Louis Blues, the Missouri Tigers, the Kansas Speedway and NASCAR Unites, will help the governor promote the effort to build houses for some of those who lost their homes in the May 22 tornado through the challenge.
Because of the EF-5 storm that destroyed or damaged almost 8,000 homes, “Thousands of Joplin residents continue to live in temporary housing or with family or friends,” Nixon said. The governor has pledged $3.6 million in federal grant funds to buy building lots and materials, and hire construction management and a volunteer coordinator to accomplish the project.
Each organization will adopt a neighborhood, and athletes, coaches, alumni, office staff members and broadcasters affiliated with the organizations will visit through the summer to provide support and encouragement for those working on the construction, the governor said.
He said it would be an opportunity for youths to work with the teams that are disciplined in the persistence it takes to achieve a goal.
“Every one of them have asked what they can do” to help Joplin, the governor said of the teams, “and say they are inspired to work beside Joplin residents.
“What we’re saying is Joplin is a great place to volunteer. It’s safe, and they can see they’ve been productive. Don’t underestimate the inspiration you are having on our state and the nation.”
Scott Clayton, executive director of the local Habitat for Humanity, said there is a great need in Joplin for affordable housing. He said families have not yet been chosen, but they can find out information about applying on the organization’s website at www.habitat.org or by calling 782-6533.
He said the sites for the houses have not yet been chosen. Donations of land would be appreciated, he said.
Nixon said financial donations also would help build the Habitat chapter so that it can serve throughout the region in addition to providing homes to working Joplin families. Those chosen to receive the houses must be able to finance part of the cost and be willing to help with the construction labor.
The work will take place in the summer, and a schedule for volunteers will be established by mid-April, Nixon said.
Clayton said appreciates the effort by the governor and the sports organizations.
“What this challenge means to Joplin is that 2012 will be an amazing year,” Clayton said. “Our partner families will be getting a new, well-built home that they helped work for and can be proud of.”
800 so far
ABOUT 800 PEOPLE have signed up so far to work on the Governor’s Joplin Habitat Challenge.
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