Custom Development  Seven in Seven Nixa, Mo.  Project Name:
Seven in Seven Location: Joplin, Mo. Size: 1,400 to 1,700 sq.
ft. Cost: Donations Photos: Randy Colwell, Colwell Captures   On
May 22, 2011, an EF-5 tornado ripped through the center of
Joplin, Mo., carving a path of destruction a half-mile wide and
6 miles long; 161 people lost their lives and more than 4,000
homes and businesses were destroyed. The community decided to
build a development with donated labor and material, and
construct seven homes in seven days, for seven deserving
families. Several challenges stood in the way: restoring
infrastructure; choosing a good location; the right leadership;
and the right volunteers. A sidewalk was poured to unite all
seven houses and provide a sense of community. Suppliers donated
in abundance providing more than enough material to complete the
project. Twenty-one builders were responsible for this build,
and they knew they couldn’t do it alone. Therefore, they made a
request for volunteers, and more than