Rams employee Tia Washington holds a Rams teddy bear she found on the team's staff trip to Joplin on July 13, 2011.
To get involved with the “Governor’s Joplin Habitat Challenge,” visit MO.gov.
COLUMBIA, MO – Few things have ever brought a state together more than the devastating EF-5 tornado that ripped through Joplin on May 22, 2011.
That tornado tore into Joplin, damaging or destroying more than 7,700 homes and has left thousands of residents in temporary housing, many of whom are still in those living situations today.
On Saturday, Missouri governor Jay Nixon issued a challenge to the state’s professional sports organizations to continue their efforts to help Joplin with what is being called the “Governor’s Joplin Habitat Challenge.”
Represented by wide receiver and Mizzou alumnus 
“In the wake of the devastating tornado, folks from across Missouri and around the world stepped forward to help the Joplin community recover and rebuild, and Missouri's major athletic organizations were a vital part of those recovery efforts,” Gov. Nixon said. “I am proud that Missouri's teams are leading the way once again by participating in the 2012 Governor's Joplin Habitat Challenge, and I encourage all Missourians to get involved. Together, we'll directly tackle the critical issue of housing in Joplin by building 35 homes this year, and providing the resources for Habitat for Humanity to expand its mission in the years to come.”
Gov. Nixon, joined by Alexander, University of Missouri Athletic Director Mike Alden, former St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Andy Benes, St. Louis Blues CEO Mike McCarthy, Blues Hall of Famer Bernie Federko, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel, Kansas City Royals pitcher and Mizzou Tiger alumnus Aaron Crow and Patrick Warren, president of the Kansas Speedway on behalf of NASCAR, announced the initiative in a halftime ceremony at Saturday’s Missouri vs. Kansas basketball game.
Each of the organizations will represent one of the seven neighborhoods. As is Habitat for Humanity’s protocol, professional contractors will handle all aspects of the construction while the athletic organizations will provide visibility, encouragement and support for the projects.
“Players, coaches, alumni, broadcasters and others from each organization will visit the neighborhoods on several occasions this year to work alongside volunteers and assist in the construction of these homes, including helping with framing, siding, painting and landscaping,” Nixon said.
As part of the project, Nixon said the state will provide $3.6 million in community development block grants in order to build the homes.
Kevin Demoff, the Rams chief operating officer/executive vice president of football operations, said the Rams are pleased to continue their efforts in Joplin.
“The commitment to rebuild Joplin will be a long process, and for all the progress that has been made, this battle is one that has barely reached halftime,” Demoff said. “Our players and staff have been proud to support Joplin’s recovery during the past year, and the 2012 Joplin-Habitat Governor’s Challenge gives our organization the opportunity to continue our efforts in a critically-needed area, housing.”
Each of the aforementioned organizations has paid a visit to Joplin in the time since the tornado. The Rams entire staff took a day trip to Joplin on July 13 to help in the recovery efforts.
About 87 members of the Rams front office staff made the five-hour trek each way that day via bus for the organization’s monthly day of service. Upon arrival, the group was divided into four teams and sent out into the community to help with everything from debris cleanup to organizing donated clothes, bedding and toys to be distributed to those in need.
“As an organization we are always looking at ways to help our fans and our community," Demoff said at the time. "When a tragedy strikes in your state, those are people we consider to be our fans and part of our community, you have to expand your horizons to incorporate those people in your view of what makes St. Louis and Missouri a better place to live. Watching the damage on television and knowing the response, it seemed like a place we needed to be to not only lend our helping hand but also to remind others in St. Louis that there's much more work that needs to be done and that Joplin still needs our help."
In August, before the Rams’ preseason contest against the Chiefs in Kansas City, Demoff, Nixon and Chiefs president Mark Donovan decided to use the game to highlight the ongoing efforts in Joplin and call attention to the fact that the rebuilding process there had only just begun.
Both teams’ coaches and sideline personnel wore specially-designed Joplin apparel. Throughout the night, first responders and volunteers were recognized, including more than 100 AmeriCorps volunteers – the group that the Rams front office worked with when they traveled to Joplin to assist with the rebuilding effort.
“Our organization’s trip to volunteer in Joplin was a sobering reminder of both the devastation that occurred and the spirit of the community as it rebuilds,” Demoff said then. “The Rams look forward to working with Governor Nixon and the Kansas City Chiefs to leverage the power of sports to bring awareness and support to the people of Joplin.”
To volunteer or make a donation, please visit MO.gov.
