Et cetera : NCCC’s Oak 7 Working for Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity

Oak 7’s media reps, Molly Byer and Victoria Gates showing off their safety equipment and scrapers!

By: Victoria Gates and Molly Byer

Oak 7, a NCCC team based out of Vinton, IA, is working in Cedar Rapids for Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity (CVHH). The team has been working there since May 2 and will continue their work there until June 26. They are working with the Habitat’s affiliate A Brush with Kindness to renovate old homes in the Wellington Heights neighborhood.

Oak 7’s primary goal has been to scrape, clean, paint and do repairs to the exterior of the homes. Since starting work, the team has successfully scraped and repainted three homes and are still have more to do! The team also works on the landscaping, helping with new construction of homes, working at CVHH’s ReStore, and salvaging for reusable goods for the ReStore. When there was a threat of flooding, Oak 7 prepared the warehouse for the expected flood waters. Luckily the Cedar River crested before any damage was done.

Aside from working, Oak 7 volunteered at Tanager Place in Mount Vernon, IA to help prepare for summer campers by putting up 32 foot tall teepees, tents and bunk beds. Although it was very windy that day, the team did great work. More volunteer hours are on the way for this team!

The team also has two community days planned for June 15 and the 22, both Saturdays, a normal work day at Habitat. Oak 7 is inviting volunteers to join them as they paint and help homeowners in need. The team wants the volunteers to experience what the team does every day with some fun activities, including a water balloon toss!

The team has accomplished a lot of work already and has more goals to reach before leaving. The labor may be tiring at times, but after seeing how much the homeowners appreciate Oak 7’s work, the team goes home with smiles on their faces and looking forward to the next day!