A Fremont business is helping to restore a Boy Scout camp destroyed by a tornado in June.
Four scouts were killed and dozens injured in the June 11 storm.
That storm also destroyed a scout cabin and the home the camp ranger lived in.
Christensen Lumber is helping to rebuild that
1,800-square-foot, three-bedroom ranch home.
“One of our customers, Hearthstone Homes, entered into an agreement to rebuild the home,” said Jeff Christensen. “We’re their supplier and they went to all suppliers to see what kind of discount they could give. All of the products we’re shipping have a special deal tied to them. We had real good cooperation from all the vendors. It’s neat to see it all come together.”
Christensen Lumber is providing all of the wood framing for the home that workers broke ground for on Aug. 11, as well as other materials at a discounted price, Christensen said. He also said his company is shipping everything to the Iowa site, much farther than normal delivery, at no extra charge.
“I’m kind of sensitive to scouts ” I was a Boy Scout,” Christensen said. “It’s quite amazing what went on there and what those boys did.”
The father of one of the scouts, Zach Jessen, works for Christensen Lumber. He said that made the cause even more important.
Framework on the home was expected to begin today.
“A blitz house is what it is,” he said. “Sept. 26 is the completion date.”
There will be one huge safety improvement when the new home is completed.
“The house is going in with a basement,” Christensen said, noting that the destroyed home did not have one.
The company regularly makes donations, including helping out with every Fremont Habitat for Humanity home.
“This is a special condition,” he said. “Special conditions come up and we do what we can.”
He said this isn’t the first time the company has helped the Boy Scouts.
“We’ve given the Scouts lumber over the years when they asked for it,” Christensen said. “Youth organizations are where we focus our efforts. They’re the ones who need it most.”
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