Cement slabs to walls and roofs

On the first full day of construction at this year’s Habitat for Humanity AmeriCorps Build-a-Thon, houses sprouted at a phenomenal pace Monday in two neighborhoods of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

When the day began, most of the 20 houses were nothing but a cement slab, loaded with stacks of lumber and walls. By lunchtime, most walls were up and roofs were being framed.

Among the volunteer builders were NFL quarterback Kurt Warner and his wife, Brenda; prize-winning sportswriter Rick Reilly and a film crew from ESPN that included senior producer Anne Powell, youngest child of former Secretary of State Colin Powell.

The Warners took time out from hammering to answer a few questions about their work with Habitat and their commitment to Kurt’s hometown, which is still rebounding from the effects of last summer’s floods.

“What I’m going to take away from this experience [with Habitat] is that mankind is still great at heart, and they have a serving attitude,” said Kurt. “You hear about all the negative things going on … but when we all bind together and join hands, it’s amazing what can be accomplished.

“There are still so many people out there that just want to give and want to serve and want to make a difference,” he added.

For the first part of the day, the Warners worked alongside new Habitat homeowner Shannon McFadden.

“I know what a struggle it is to be a single mom,” said Brenda Warner. “To know that I was able to help build Shannon’s home—the first home she’s ever owned—what an honor. It’s just neat to look in her eyes and see that she feels like it’s a do-over. I’m excited for her.”

Dressed in a hot pink polo shirt and black sweatpants, Brenda looked less like an NFL superstar’s wife and more like one of the volunteers she bonded with during the workday.

“You always want to surround yourself with people that bring good to this world,” she said. “And that’s exactly what we did today.”