GOVERNOR NIXON HAS LAUNCHED THE 2012 GOVERNOR'S JOPLIN HABITAT CHALLENGE.
  THE  CHALLENGE, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH JOPLIN AREA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY AND MISSOURI'S MAJOR ATHLETIC ORGANIZATIONS,  AIMS TO BUILD 35 NEW HOMES IN THE  HEART OF JOPLIN TO PROVIDE CONTINUED AID TO THE CITY'S RECOVERY.
  THE CHALLENGE IS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH  MAJOR SPORTS ENTITIES IN MISSOURI... THE ROYALS, CHIEFS, CARDINALS, RAMS,  ST. LOUIS BLUES, MISSOURI TIGERS AND NASCAR.  
   THE EFFORT WAS LAUNCHED   SATURDAY IN COLUMBIA  AMID ALL THE   BUILD UP TO THE MISSOURI/KANSAS BASKETBALL GAMES..
   THE 35 HOMES WILL BE DIVIDED INTO SEVEN DIFFERENT NEIGHBORHOODS, WITH EACH NEIGHBORHOOD ASSIGNED A SPONSOR AMONG THE SEVEN MISSOURI ATHLETIC ORGANIZATION.
  VOLUNTEERS WILL BE NEEDED IN THE EFFORT AND MISSOURIANS CAN VISIT MO.GOV TO SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER WITH THE TEAM OF THEIR CHOICE IN JOPLIN OR TO CONTRIBUTE IN SUPPORT OF THE CHALLENGE.