Ten for Joplin reaches fundraising goal

(From Habitat for Humanity)

The Ten for Joplin project has surpassed its $800,000 goal by more than $6,000 as 10 new homes being built for tornado-impacted families take shape.

The project is a partnership between Tulsa and Joplin Area Habitat for Humanity teams, the City of Joplin, surrounding businesses and organizations, and thousands of volunteers to rebuild Joplin after an EF-5 tornado hit the town on May 22.

In addition to reaching its cash goal, the project has raised approximately $270,000 worth of in-kind gifts. Donations still are being accepted on the Ten for Joplin website at www.tenforjoplin.org. Excess cash raised will be applied to future Habitat for Humanity builds in the tornado-ravaged area of Joplin.

Volunteers are on schedule to wrap up the build by Nov. 12. Their tasks this week include painting, installing cabinets, hanging doors, setting tile and laying sod.

Every day brings a new assignment for the approximately 2,500 volunteers signed up to support the project.

Even more impressive than the sheer mass of work being accomplished in a short timeframe are the stories developing about volunteer efforts. Here are some of their stories:
•A Chicago-based couple who helped with cleanup efforts following the tornado returned to build homes through the Ten for Joplin project.
•An unemployed construction worker who wanted something to do is volunteering his time.
•First responders on the day the tornado struck returned on a much happier note to build homes for families.
•A Tulsa Habitat for Humanity family who just weeks earlier completed their new home in Tulsa traveled to Joplin with five other family members to work on the project.
•A father and daughter working with different volunteer groups were surprised to run into each other on the worksite during lunch.
•A woman turning 50 brought her friends to the build to celebrate her birthday raising walls on the new homes.
•A 10-year-old boy passed on presents to fulfill his birthday wish to raise money for Ten for Joplin.

“Everyone is having such a good time; it’s like a big work party,” said Jane Dunbar, director of development for Tulsa Habitat for Humanity. “The volunteers are so excited about being a part of the building efforts. Some would say they’re going home, but then they come back the next day because they want to see the project completed.

“What makes the Habitat program special is that the families and volunteers are doing it together, laughing along the way and making new friends for life.”

In addition to a community developer sponsorship from the Habitat for Humanity International’s Women Build program, companies sponsoring houses are The Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation, Arvest Bank, BKD CPAs & Advisors, Chase, Hilti, Samson and T.D. Williamson, Inc. Organizations that have signed on to sponsor a half house include Advanced Industrial Devices, Inc., Commerce Bank/William T. Kemper Foundation, Helmerich & Payne, Unit Corporation and Valley National Bank. Other major contributors include Asbury United Methodist Church, Bank of Oklahoma, Society of St. Vincent de Paul of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, The Home Depot Foundation, The Mary K. Chapman Foundation and Williams.

Companies donating gifts in-kind include Thermal Windows, Turner Roofing, TAMKO Building Products and numerous others.

To find out more about the project and see photos of the progress, go to the website at www.tenforjoplin.org. Interviews with family members can be arranged by contacting Scott Clayton at 417-782-6533 or sclayton@joplinhabitat.org.