This year we built 4 homes in sunny Tucson Arizona, which is located in southern Arizona, 124 miles south of Phoenix. Location: Gypsum, CO Dates: July 23-31, 2015 Affiliate: Habitat For Humanity Vail Colorado Number of Homes: 4
For our 15th anniversary build, we decided to travel to the big island of Hawaii. If you think planning an accelerated build event half-way across the country every year has been easy, think about planning one 3000 miles away, across a major portion of an ocean! Although Hawaii is a vacation destination for most of us, there is a huge housing need for local Hawaiians. Because of the high costs of living, 15% of Hawaiians live below the poverty level. Habitat for Humanity, West Hawaii provides much needed relief to these people. For example, the average cost of a home in Hawaii is $350,000. Habitat is able to sell their homes for $85,000. The average rent in Hawaii is $1,500/mo, a Habitat mortgage is only $350/mo. As you can see, there is a clear need for Habitat's services in Hawaii and this blitz build is already receiving tremendous attention and support from the local community and government. We had a great time in Kona-Kailua and loved working side-by-side with 3 deserving families and the wonderful Habitat for Humanity West Hawaii affiliate.
This year marked our 15th anniversary build in Kona, HI. Unfortunately not all of our "family" could make the trip to Hawaii. In response, a mini-build was scheduled in Rockford, IL as an opportunity to bring the BHB family back together and help a family out.
This year we traveled north to Sioux Falls South Dakota. We were met with warm hospitality and the most press coverage we have ever had, which you can find on our News page. A big thank you to the Greater Sioux Falls Habitat Affiliate.
"Wonder Week 2" In 2010, Wichita invited us back to be a part of Wonder Week 2. The Blitz Home Builders built 3 of the 7 homes during this 8 day blitz.
"Rockin' in Rockford" In 2009 the Blitz Home Builders traveled to Rockford Illinois, just outside of Chicago. Executive Director Tonya Thayer along with the entire Rockford Habitat Board of Directors were very welcoming and appreciative to have us. Over 55 BHB volunteers traveled to the Midwest to build two homes in 8 days. It was amazing to see so many of the Rockford Board members out on site hitting nails with us. One such Board Member even signed up with BHB and joined us the following summer on the 2010 Wichita build. Additional Photos and Media Coverage
Convington, LA 2008
"Finishing What We Started"In 2005, we had been planned a Blitz Build in Covington to take place that August. A few weeks before we were to start Katrina hit the Gulf, devastating the area. Hotels and flights were all being used by emergency personal and displaced families. Logistically, a full scale Blitz Build was not feasible so soon after the hurricane and we had to scale back our efforts. A select group of determined Blitz Home Builder volunteers still wanted to help when it was needed the most. They drove their own cars, vans and RVs down to Covington, and set up camp in the field behind the Habitat St. Tammany West main office. Over the next week, they camped out, helping the local affiliate however they could, and were able to build a house for a family in need. In 2008, once the area was rebuilding, the Blitz Home Builders decided they had some unfinished business in Covington. Then, more than ever, they needed our help with a full scale Blitz Build to provide homes for some very deserving families. In June of 2008, amid the humid southern climate, we built 3 homes in 7 days with the Habitat St. Tammany West affiliate. It was with much pleasure that we were able to finish what we had started back in 2005. Additional Photos and Media Coverage
"Pounding in Portland"In June of 2007, over 75 volunteers traveled to the northwest to be part of the 10th Anniversary of the what now has become the Blitz Home Builders. These dedicated volunteers built three houses that resulted in number 31, 32, and 33 for the Blitz Home Builders over the past ten years. Although considered a mature Habitat affiliate, the Portland Habitat organization had never been part of a complete Blitz build. This was an exciting time for them as we cooperatively Blitzed three houses in eight days without a hiccup. This also completed a development for the Portland affiliate that has become a shining example of what is possible from a severely blighted and crime-ridden area of town. The ten year anniversary of the Blitz Home Builders proved to be a milestone and major accomplishment for both the Portland affiliate and the Blitz Home Builders! Additional Photos and Media Coverage
"Wonder Week" Blitz Home Builders approached Wichita Habitat in the fall of 2005 and offered a partnership whereby BHB would furnish volunteer labor and Wichita Habitat would furnish the funding for a 7 day, 4 house build in Wichita, Ks, to take place in June of 2006. The Wichita Affiliate appropriately named the project "Wonder Week". The experience of this accelerated build gave the local affiliate the confidence and skills to ramp up their construction schedules whereby it is now common for a house to be complete in 12-15 days. Wonder Week also opened the door for an anonymous donor to step up and offer funding for the purchase of the 6 acres which adjoins the Wonder Week Project. This became Wichita Habitat's first sub-division and is now known as Edgebrook Village. By the end of 2009, 38 of the possible 42 homes will be complete and occupied by very deserving Habitat families. Another anonymous donor stepped up in 2008 and furnished funding for playground equipment for a pocket park near the center of the development. It is the feeling of the local affiliate that Wonder Week was responsible for bringing the plight of those living in substandard housing to the attention of Wichita churches, business and individuals, thus having a very positive effect on house sponsorships and donations.
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