Volunteers, homeowners in progress, community supporters and local elected officials gathered in the Kimberly Crossing development in Ankeny on Monday to kick off Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity’s Ankeny Blitz Build kickoff. The Oct. 16-20 event will start construction on six duplex homes and nearly complete two more already underway, according to a news release. As part of the Ankeney Blitz Build, GDM Habitat has also received commitment from 23 nonprofit and for-profit executives to participate in the CEO Build on Oct. 19 in the master-planned community on Northeast 56th Street. The duplexes will be purchased with affordable mortgages by families who are eager to live and work in the Ankeny area, the release says. “Some of the best resources and opportunities available in the Des Moines metro exist in communities like Ankeny,” said Lance Henning, CEO of GDM Habitat. “All of us want a choice in where we make our homes, but for the folks Habitat serves, that choice is almost always a luxury that’s out of their price range. By building in communities like Ankeny and continuing to build in our traditional target neighborhoods, we can provide that choice for our homebuyers.” According to Habitat, up to 60% of an individual’s health is determined by the zip code in which they live and can impact outcomes for children. More than 600 community volunteers from local businesses, metro area corporations, and community groups will staff the sites throughout the week, according to the release. They will help raise walls, mount roof trusses, hang siding, and “dry in” the homes; preparing them for interior work and the installation of critical systems. At the two homes already underway, volunteers will install flooring, trim, doors, and hardware, and complete other finishing work to push the homes toward purchase.

The CEO’s that will be onsite for the 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. CEO Build include:

• Chris Blunt, F&G
• Melisa Cox, Ankeny Area Chamber of Commerce
• Rowena Crosbie, Tero International, Inc.
• Rob Denson, DMACC
• Cory Harris, Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield
• Lance Henning, Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity
• Dr. Adreain Henry, Mercy College of Health Sciences
• Tony Kaska, Midwest Heritage Bank
• Tanner Kinzler, Kinzler Corporation
• Izaah Knox, Urban Dreams
• David Ling, Beisser Lumber Co.
• Edward McGreen, Kreg Tool Company
• David Nelson, West Bank
• Jim Plagge, Bank Iowa
• Bob Ritz, MercyOne
• Ben Roach, Nyemaster Goode, PC
• Steve Simon, South Story Bank & Trust
• Travis Simpson, Northwest Bank
• Brett Smith, Central Bank
• John Sorensen, Iowa Bankers Association
• Zac Voss, Voss Distributing
• Kris Williams, Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines
• Jason Willis, Willis Automotive