UNITS® Moving & Portable Storage Helps Build Habitat Home in 9 Days

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UNITS® Moving and Portable Storage of Central Iowa partnered with the Iowa State Fair and Habitat for Humanity to show support and give back to the community.

The Iowa State Fair is a major event that draws millions of visitors each year to Des Moines, helping boost its local economy. This year, Habitat for Humanity added to the fair frenzy by building a Habitat house on the fairgrounds during the course of the fair. That’s right, a new home was built in nine days but it could not have been done without local businesses!

UNITS Moving and Portable Storage stepped up to support Habitat’s State Fair Build by donating two 16-foot portable containers valued at $1,000 that were utilized for storage space for tools and supplies while more than 350 volunteers worked to build the home while the fair was happening around them. UNITS of Central Iowa has donated many containers to Habitat for Humanity over the last two years. In addition, UNITS is a proud sponsor of the Iowa State Fair by offering five storage containers that were used by fair exhibitors.

Jim Becker, owner and operator of UNITS of Central Iowa, saw a way he could use his local business to help both causes by easing some of the financial burden of storage, so these groups could put their resources to use in other ways.

“I am a firm believer in giving back to your local community, so I am always looking for ways to do that,” says Becker. “I know by helping these organizations save on the high cost of storage, they can use that money for other things. That feels good!”

The ambitious Habitat for Humanity build took place at the Fairgrounds. Once the home is complete it will be moved to its permanent location four blocks away for a family in need.

Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity’s Director of Communications Danny Akright has seen first-hand how the UNITS containers have helped the crew and volunteers who are working tirelessly to build this incredible new home and is grateful for support for support from local businesses.

“This project is a very significant undertaking. We built an entire house in nine days! Without Jim’s donation of these containers, we wouldn’t have a home base for all the crews’ tools and supplies,” says Akright. “We have a crew of 350 volunteers helping out, so it’s an all-hands-on-deck situation.”

Construction work happened daily throughout the fair as fairgoers stopped by and watch the build happening live.

“Helping out with the Iowa State Fair is a win-win. I can contribute to a major event that benefits my city and state while also raising awareness around what UNITS offers locally. And I am so proud and excited to be a part of Habitat’s State Fair Build,” says Becker. “Their charitable organization changes lives and I can’t wait to see the finished product and the family’s reaction when they walk into their new home.”

An open house for the newly built Habitat for Humanity home was held Saturday August 20, and Sunday August 21, 9 a.m.- 8 p.m. at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, Northwest side, between Gate 13 and Grand Avenue.

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