Build and rally April 21 through May 4, 2014

Here is where you will find all the details as they become finalized. You will find opportunities to become involved. You will find opportunities to contribute.  And you will find it all right here.

Come join us and help celebrate 25 years of RV Care-A-Vanners. This will be a two-week build with a Celebration Rally in between the two weeks.

We just finished up two two-week builds in Springfield. Since RV Care-A-Vanners was a new concept for Springfield, we felt that it was important to have a “dress rehearsal" before the main event. Now they have experienced RV Care-A-Vanners and know what to expect. The house was finished and the dedication was held on our last build date.  

This is an amazing affiliate. They have an outstanding construction crew who are looking forward to our arrival.  

Check-in will be Monday, April 21, 2014 with Tuesday-Saturday build dates. Departure will be Sunday, May 4, 2014. No early check-in will be possible due to an event at the fairgrounds prior to our arrival.

A KOA Campground is 10 miles from the fairgrounds just off I-44. They have agreed to offer a Care-A-Vanners special rate before the build so be sure to mention HFHI for the rate of $35. Full hook-ups and Wi-Fi are available at the KOA. Stage Stop is another RV parking area that is south of town just off US 65. They are offering a rate of $25 for full hook-ups and Wi-Fi. This is a gravel lot behind Lambert's Restaurant, one of best known restaurants in the area. There are also two Wal-Mart stores in the area. One is off I-44 at Exit 77 for the fairgrounds and the other just off I-44 at Exit 80, Glenstone Ave.

The Celebration Rally will begin Saturday evening with a social hour, general introductions and dinner. A cash bar will be available.

Seminars will be offered Sunday and Monday with a dinner and entertainment each evening and cash bar available. Coffee and donuts will be offered Sunday and Monday mornings. A non-denominational church service will be held Sunday morning on the fair grounds for those who would like to attend.

Typical rally schedule will be:
8:00-8:30- Coffee and donuts Hosted by the Springfield HFH affiliate
8:30-12:00- Seminars
1:30-3:30-Seminars
4:00-5:00 - Social hour
6:00-7:00- Dinner
7:00-8:00- Entertainment

We plan to offer a safety certification to all attendees, so it will be offered multiple times during the two-week event. Our goal is to get everyone who attends our event to be Habitat safety-certified. For those of you who no longer have an RV/trailer travel and still want to join us, we are holding a block of rooms at LaQuinta Inn East. Just mention Habitat to get the $62 per night rate. The hotel is located just off I-44 at Exit 80. The phone number is 417-520-8800 [1].

We will be doing a number of projects during our time in Springfield. Due to the number of Care-A-Vanners expected, we will be building houses, working on remodels and doing A Brush with Kindness projects. Please come prepared to be flexible. I know everyone wants to build and we will do everything possible to see that your skills are used.

Registration will begin around the middle of August. You will be notified of the specific date in July. We are in the process of finalizing the costs for this event and this information will appear on the registration page. The only limit will be the type of campsites offered. We have 33 full hook-up sites, 50 with water/electricity, 165 electric-only sites and unlimited dry camping sites. Arrangements have been made to include two pump outs during the two weeks for those without sewer connections. Water is also readily available on the grounds and arrangements can be made to access drinking water hoses. Please arrive with full water tanks and empty grey/black water tanks. All sites will be 30 amps so come prepared. Extra water and sewer hoses are also recommended along with leveling blocks. We have the entire fairgrounds during our two-week stay so we have plenty of room for everyone as long as you can be flexible.

Kelly Sosland will be handling registration for this event. The sites are not uniform, each with a different length and width, so Kelly will be matching up your request to your needs. Remember this is a fairgrounds and not an RV resort. Sites will be tight in some areas, especially for those with slides. Most importantly, remember we are there to build homes and to celebrate!

The 25th Anniversary event:
What: The build phase is planned for multiple homes to go up in their Habitat subdivision plus rehabs and A Brush with Kindness.
Where: The Ozark Empire Fairgrounds in Springfield, Mo.
When: Beginning April 21, 2014.

Care-A-Vanners Rally:
What: Our celebration event.
When: Held over the middle weekend dates of April 26-28, 2014.

Make a donation to our Anniversary projects

• Many Care-A-Vanners will want to make a financial contribution to our build program for the 25th Anniversary Rally, in addition to the build and rally registration fees.
• Make a one-time or recurring contribution to the special Anniversary fund online:
  [2]
• Make a check donation by mail:
• Make checks payable to "Habitat for Humanity International"
• Write "Project Code 1113001" on the memo line of the check.
• Mail your check to:
  RV Care-A-Vanners
  Habitat for Humanity International
  121 Habitat Street  
  Americus, GA 31709-3498