Nearly 7,000 homes in Joplin were destroyed by the May 22, 2011 EF5 tornado that struck the city. Bundled up for their first night working with Extreme Makeover: Home Edition in Joplin (left to right) CCC Columbus Campus Instructor Kevin Hunt and wife, Jodie. Students pictured are Blaine Parsons of Columbus, Tyler Turnbough of Columbus, Kyle Taylor of Oswego, Kip Overman, Kody Danner, and Kenny Pease all of Columbus.
When the call came in to Kevin Hunt, Coffeyville Community College, Columbus Campus Construction instructor, from PSU for help, Kevin did not hesitate. Starting October 19, "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" will be in Joplin, Mo. to film a show unlike any before. In one week, the Joplin project will build seven homes in seven days for families who suffered losses in the May tornado that destroyed much of the city. Producers have announced it will air as a two hour special and will be the show's 200th episode.
Kevin and his students (age 18 and over) will be working through the night installing house wrap. The CCC students will be working with Pittsburg State University's CMCET student “Cobra” teams, who will manage on-site safety of personnel, tradesmen and will take care of materials. Kevin and his students recently met with Joe Butcher, DuPont Tyvek Senior Certified Specialist, to learn proper techniques of installing Tyvek house wrap and window flashing.
“This is a once in a lifetime experience for most people and our students are getting it at an early age”, said Kevin. “It is going to be great for this younger generation to see how teamwork can create what seems impossible. Our plan at this technical campus is to build one house over a two year period and these students are going to see seven houses and seven detached garages go up in seven days. This is going to be a great experience; the students and I are very excited to be a part of rebuilding Joplin.”