GREENSBURG, Kan. - Hammering nails, setting roof trusses and sleeping on military cots might not sound like a typical Spring Break getaway. However, 12 K-State students chose this alternative break in Greensburg, Kan., rather than a tropical destination. "This sounded like a good way to spend my time, so I decided to come to Greensburg and give my time," said Megan Holton, volunteer and junior in milling science. "It didn't make me to nervous that I didn't know how to do anything with construction. There was always something to do even if you weren't that great with power tools." The week started when the group, sponsored by the office of Civic Leadership and Ecumenical Campus Ministry, traveled to Pratt, Kan. where they stayed at First Christian Church and were sponsored by Disciples Home Missions. DHM provides organized mission trips throughout the U.S. and arranges alternative spring breaks. After DHM staff members Carl and Robin Zerweck provided a brief overview of the upcoming week, the students found out exactly where they would be working. Elma Helwig, life-long Greensburg resident, lost her home in the F-5 tornado on May 4, 2007. Helwig had lived out of a FEMA trailer since the destruction of her town. The group replaced Helwig's roof, built inside walls and reconstructed her one-car garage. Each day, Helwig visited the construction site and added a new story about her tornado experience. "Elma is a sweet lady. She is very deserving," said Mary Cox, freshman in financial planning. "Building the house for her was a way to help her do her ministry of her cinnamon rolls she bakes for people. So it was just another way to help someone who helps others." Of all the stories Cox heard throughout the week, she witnessed her own Greensburg memory. Over the week, the town's lone water tower was set into place with a crane. "That was something that seemed pretty significant in a small town," Holton said. "If I was a resident of Greensburg and saw the water tower go up you would say, 'Wow we are finally moving along.'" Carl Zerweck, director of Disciples Volunteering, said seeing the water tower go up is another visible sign that the town of Greensburg is coming back to life and that volunteers really can make a difference in this situation. "The group from Kansas State was there during the week when there was 350 plus volunteers working in town," Zerweck said. "Which presented a big work management dilemma. One of the things I appreciated about the K-State group was that they were patient, flexible and worked hard for five days under challenging work and weather conditions." Third-time alternative spring break participant, Sam Coberly, said she likes to see the amount of work volunteers can get done in one week. Coberly traveled to the Gulf Coast, Mexico and now Greensburg. "When we got there, it was just four outside walls," said Coberly, senior in anthropology. "Now, it actually looks like a house. This was the first time I framed a house, and it was a new experience." As the volunteers loaded the van Friday to head home, they reflected on their favorite memories. Holton said nail guns still scare her, though she used one the entire week. K-State campus pastor David Jones said the students really worked well together and enjoyed a memorable week. "You heard about Greensburg on the television, but it really hit me on the way from Pratt to Greensburg," Holton said. "The first thing you notice is the destroyed trees. Looking at the old pictures and seeing how everything was an absolute mess even now it's an absolute mess they still have come so far. They still have so far to go."