A great deal of work remains on Kylee Hoffman’s new home, but this week’s work by members of the ISU greek community and other volunteers will make a serious dent in the to-do list.

The hours of work will mean a new 870-square-foot home for 30-year-old Hoffman and her 6-year-old daughter, Alexa.

The new home is a result of Operation: Renovation, a project organized by the city of Ames and Habitat for Humanity. The greek system’s involvement is a part of Blitz Build, a tradition that usually occurs around Homecoming during which students help Habitat for Humanity build a house.

As part of the project, Hoffman is required to volunteer 450 hours. She said she’s been volunteering at her daughter’s school, through her job and through other volunteer opportunities she finds.

Hoffman said she was hesitant to fill out the application early last summer.

“I thought maybe it’s something that somebody who is maybe less fortunate or maybe who struggles could use it,” she said. “But I learned that’s not what the program is for. The program is for someone who is a hard worker and who can afford a home and to also keep it up nicely and someone who is looking to keep their future growing.”

After completing the application and going through an interview, Hoffman got the phone call she was hoping for.

“I cried,” she said. “Personally, I was surprised, but very, very emotional and excited. I thought it was awesome for my daughter and I to go on with this next step in our life.”

Hoffman recalled the first time she saw the house. “I remember the first time we went,” she said. “It was really cool just to see the people there that have no idea anything about you or who you are that are willing to take time out of their lives to help mine out.”

Alexa, who will be 7 in December, knows exactly what’s going on, Hoffman said.

“She knows that there’s bunches of people that we don’t know that are there for us, that are helping put this house together,” Hoffman said. “She knows a lot, she’s very aware of everything.”

Alexa is excited to have a yard to play in, her mother said. Hoffman is looking forward to having a house of her own and a community to raise her daughter in for the next chapter of their lives.

Tamara Dunham, Community Service CyCaptain for the Student Alumni Leadership Council’s CySquad, said two 12-person groups will continue working on the house on Wednesday and Friday.

By 11 a.m. of the first shift, Dunham, a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority and sophomore in economics, said she was proud of the work that had been completed in just two hours.

“It’s one of the things that I’ve always wanted to get involved in — showing the family that there are people out there that care and to get the job done where they need help,” she said.

For Emma Reed, member of the Alpha Sigma Kappa sorority and junior in journalism and mass communication, Blitz Build was an opportunity to “try something new.”

“It’s been fun making an impact in the community and helping out,” she said as she rolled white paint onto a wall of the future bathroom.

Dan Cupps, construction manager with Habitat for Humanity Story County, said work on the house at 3803 Minnetonka Ave. began this summer and is projected to be completed by late December or early January.

Cupps said the city of Ames sold the house to Habitat at a discounted price. Through the Operation: Renovation program, Hoffman is able to purchase the house at a discount.

“Labor is donated and mortgage is interest-free for life, which is great,” Hoffman said.

Cupps said he expected painting to be completed in the house’s interior on Monday and work to build the deck would begin on Monday afternoon.

Due to rain in the forecast, Cupps said siding will probably not begin until next week.