Habitat for Humanity’s RV Care-A-Vanner program celebrates 25 years of service

More than 200 volunteers will join Habitat for Humanity as it honors the 25th anniversary of the RV Care-A-Vanner program with a celebration build and rally in Springfield, Mo., April 21 – May 4.

“The RV Care-A-Vanner program is a special part of Habitat’s ministry that has played a significant role in improving the lives of thousands of people across North America,” said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. “We thank all the volunteers for their continued support and dedication to this program for the past 25 years.”

During the two-week building event hosted by Habitat for Humanity of Springfield, volunteers and RV Care-A-Vanners will build two new homes and perform critical home repairs in Legacy Trails, a planned Habitat community.

“It’s an honor to be the host affiliate for the 25th anniversary celebration,” said Larry Peterson, executive director, Habitat for Humanity of Springfield. “The program has served countless families across the country and shows the many ways people can commit themselves to ending poverty housing.”

The RV Care-A-Vanner program is open to all volunteers who are interested in traveling to spread Habitat’s ministry across the U.S. and Canada by helping local affiliates build and advocate for decent and affordable housing.

In 2012, the RV Care-A-Vanner program launched its first disaster rebuild effort in the tornado-ravaged area of Morehead, Ky. In the following year, the program established a Disaster Rebuild Team to help with rebuilding efforts in communities impacted by natural disasters, including Joplin, Mo., which was devastated by tornadoes in 2011.

Joplin Area Habitat for Humanity staff will also participate in the anniversary celebrations.

“RV Care-A-Vanners have been a great source of assistance in our community following the tornado that destroyed much of the City of Joplin,” said Scott Clayton, executive director, Joplin Area Habitat for Humanity. “Their work performed throughout the country has been a tremendous blessing for many – we’re thankful for this program and its selfless volunteers.”

For more information on the RV Care-A-Vanner program and other Habitat volunteer programs please visit http://www.habitat.org/getinv.

About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International’s vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Anchored by the conviction that housing provides a critical foundation for breaking the cycle of poverty, Habitat has helped more than 4 million people construct, rehabilitate or preserve homes since 1976. Habitat also advocates to improve access to decent and affordable shelter and supports a variety of funding models that enable families with limited resources to make needed improvements on their homes as their time and resources allow. As a nonprofit Christian housing organization, Habitat works in more than 70 countries and welcomes people of all races, religions and nationalities to partner in its mission. To learn more, donate or volunteer visit habitat.org.

About Habitat for Humanity of Springfield
Habitat for Humanity of Springfield believes every person in the Springfield and surrounding area deserves to live in safe, decent, affordable housing. As one of 1,467 affiliates of Habitat for Humanity International, Habitat Springfield builds an average of 10 homes each year. Since 1988, Habitat Springfield has either built or rehabilitated more 250 homes, providing shelter for more than 600 men, women and children in Greene County. Habitat Springfield partners with deserving families and individuals to build homes, and we rely on support from the community to provide compassionate construction. Community volunteers and corporate sponsors help Habitat Springfield fulfill our mission to provide safe and affordable housing to those who would otherwise go without.

About Joplin Area Habitat for Humanity
Joplin Area Habitat for Humanity serves the Jasper County area in southwest Missouri and has been building homes since 1989. Our organization is steadily increasing builds to three to five homes a year. On May 22, 2011, a tornado destroyed one third of the City of Joplin. Since that day, Joplin Area Habitat for Humanity has been dedicated to assisting in the rebuilding of our town and to our partner families – building 81 new homes for families in need of better housing. In 2013, we were able to begin our A Brush with Kindness program and made improvements to 27 area homes. We have also moved to a new location at 5201 N. Main Street in Joplin that provides a much larger space for our ReStore which has given us the opportunity to better serve the community.