Despite the rain, Habitat for Humanity's Build-a-Thon kicks-off

Jim Hedemark guides his team through the clouds and drizzle on Sunday, ready to build a two-bedroom home for Amanda Cook and her son.

“I can't pay people to do this,” Hedemark said as he looked around at a pack of about 25 AmeriCorps and VISTA volunteers on Sunday morning. “A volunteer will do anything you ask.”

Hedemark has been with Habitat for Humanity since 1995 and is based out of the group's affiliate in Detroit. He said he has been building houses since 1974.

“You are a coach, an orchestrater and it's controlled chaos,” Hedemark admits between instructions to the crew.

The Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity is expecting more than 500 volunteers to work throughout Cedar Rapids and the surrounding area this week for the group's second annual Build-a-Thon.

Construction opened Sunday morning in the mud-filled lots on South Mentzer Road, near Robins. Jeff Capps, executive director for the Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity, also said part of the project will include refurbishing homes in the Wellington Heights Neighborhood in Cedar Rapids and working with Block-by-Block.

Cook spent the first hours of watching volunteers build her new home helping out where she could. While the house will soon take shape, Cook said she and her son, Jaidyn, 8, will likely move in by the fall.

“He's never had his own yard so this will be a first for him,” said Cook. “I found out this lot was mine last Tuesday.”

The AmeriCorps volunteers come from all over the nation and have chosen this mission for their minds and their muscles.

“I was a flight attendant and was that fun,” said Cicely Tatum, an Alaska native now based in Seattle. “I have a passion for people and this is a way to serve and work with large groups of people.”

Katie Schrecker is a 2008 graduate of James Madison University in Virginia. She said she only knew how to paint when she signed on. Now she can put walls into place.

“We are just going to be here for the week, until Friday, with the goal to get it all closed in,” said Schrecker, based in Long Island. “Then the local affiliate will finish off the interior work.” Schrecker admitted to not knowing where her next destination is yet to help build.

The work of coordinating all of the materials and all of the volunteers is a challenge. With the sounds of saws and hammers all around, Tatum works on a simple philosophy to get through each day of building.

“Communication is key,” said Tatum. “If you don't understand, ask.”