AmeriCorps team completed assignment with RHP

AmeriCorps team members enjoying lunch before returning to the headquarters in Mississippi.

AmeriCorps's Tide 5 Southern Region group said good-bye to Rutherford Housing Partnership (RHP) and Rutherford County Monday. The group completed numerous housing projects during their approximate eight week stay in the county. According to RHP's Executive Director Mel Ailiff, the group saved RHP more than $35,000 in estimated labor costs by roofing houses, building handicapped ramps and making other urgent repairs to Rutherford County homes. She expressed her thanks to the group for their dedication and work.

Headquartered in Vicksburg, Mississippi, the group returned there before disbanding to go to their respective homes. Rutherford County native Zaida Cilone,18, was the team's communications director during their time in Rutherford County and was a job that fit her perfectly since she's familiar with the area and its people

In addition to Zaida of Bostic other team members were -- Kyle Scheer, 23, University of Iowa from Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Jaden Briggs, 20, Shakoee, Minnesota; Cody Baker, 22, MSU, Albany, Michigan; Claire O'Hearn, 18, Frenchtown, New Jersey; Austin Franklin, 25, Hermiston, Oregon; Jack Impastato, 18, Ohio; Genevieve Meadows, 22, Williamsburg, Virginia.; Maria Rusnak, 25, New Orleans, Louisana and Beth Lumia, 23, Syracuse, New York.

They were given a pizza and ice cream sundae party on Monday at the RHP office before heading back to Mississippi.

Ailiff has applied for another AmeriCorps for Rutherford County in the future.