BOISE -- There's something unique happening at the Western Idaho Fair this year.
As you're riding the amusement rides, looking at the livestock, or eating your favorite foods don't be surprised if you hear a lot of hammering in the background.
High school students from Meridian are partnering with Boise Valley Habitat for Humanity to build part of a house right in the middle of the fairgrounds.
Most construction foremen don't wear ties to work, but Mark Enger is more than a foreman, he's a Residential Construction teacher for Meridian schools.
He and his students are teaming up with Boise Valley Habitat for Humanity to build a home, smack dab in the middle of the Western Idaho Fair.
"We get to come out and show people what we do on a daily basis in our class, which is really cool because not everybody gets to see what we do," said 17 year-old student Julia Delabretonne.
The students have already built the floor deck. Now, they're working on building the walls, one of Matthew McKinney's favorite parts.
"I like pounding nails," said McKinney, volunteer and former student.
"I like the heavy labor part of it, the arm swinging, the nail gun, stuff like that," said Delabretonne.
Students learn the principles of design and life.
"It just makes you a better person because you're helping the community and making peoples days brighter because you're building them a house," said McKinney.
"I do it because I love working with my hands and I just figure it's a good way to put it to good use, to help out somebody, and to do something that I love while helping to give somebody something they really need," said Delabretonne.
The Boise Valley Habitat for Humanity has worked for more than 20 years to provide affordable homes to those in need. They've helped 56 Idaho families become homeowners.
"Oh, I think it's great. I think it's a great opportunity for the kids and a great opportunity for Habitat. It's a win-win situation," said Kenneth Wood, Boise Valley Habitat for Humanity volunteer.
And now thanks to the help of some Meridian students -- another family will get to call the makings of this house, home.
"The best part about that for me is just the look on their face when they receive the house," said McKinney.
It's all happening just east of the Exhibition Building.
In all, about two dozen students will help build the home.
Once the house is constructed at the fairgrounds, crews will carefully dismantle the house in sections then move it the home's site at the Palm Court subdivision and reassemble it.
For more information about the Boise Valley Habitat for Humanity, you can click here for their website
