As a child, Jim McGrew called the neighborhood near Francis Marion Intermediate School, home. He walked to school most days and recalls an occasional snowball fight with his buddies along the way. His daily route would take him near 2095 3rd Avenue, a home originally built in 1920. Today that property is owned by Marion Community Build and is under renovation by students from Marion and Linn-Mar High Schools.
“I grew up east of the current home being renovated. I often walked or biked on this street on my way to school,” recalls McGrew. 
Today, Jim also has a heart for giving back to the neighborhood he grew up in. McGrew is the Owner of Suburban Lumber, a family-owned business based in Cedar Rapids. Over the past three years, McGrew and his team have donated and provided many building supplies to Marion Community Build.
Marion Community Build is a partnership between Marion Economic Development Corp. (MEDCO), the City of Marion, Marion Independent School District and Linn-Mar Community School District. The program invests in deteriorated single-family homes in the Marion community. Students then have the opportunity to work on home renovations while learning trades and other life skills. The homes are then sold back to the market, benefiting low to moderate income individuals and families.
“Marion has a really big piece of my heart. We’ve raised both of our kids here, too. I also hope that through our partnership and support of this project that more students will be able to experience a career in this field and pursue it beyond high school,” says McGrew.
The cost of materials can make or break a project like this. Support of local business is key to successfully meeting the needs of each home renovation. Suburban Lumber has donated kitchen cabinets, lumber, shingles, siding and windows throughout the current home renovation. McGrew even used his relationship with Lumber Specialties to source trusses for a new garage that students will build this fall.
“We don’t see this kind of generosity every day, and we are exceptionally grateful for the support of Suburban Lumber as we invest in this core Marion neighborhood,” says Nick Glew, President of MEDCO. “Jim is a true leader in our business community who embodies what it looks like to reach higher for the benefit of the entire community.”
Learn more about the Marion Community Build project.
Learn more about Suburban Lumber.