About 50 volunteers from Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity and the South Congregational Church in Amherst were like miracle workers over the weekend, constructing 40 wall pieces for a four-bedroom house to be built in storm-ravaged Alabama.

Construction of the wall pieces, which began between intermittent rain on Saturday morning, was expected to take two full days, but the work was complete by mid-day on Sunday. "It was like a flash. By 9 a.m. the first day, we had 20 done," said Jessica C. Wallis, a volunteer coordinator for Habitat.

M.J. Adams, executive director of the local Habitat for Humanity, said the group's success could be attributed to its focus. "It brings people together and they work at their peak. They can get amazing things done."

The wall pieces are now on their way to Mobile County, Ala., where a new house will be constructed in the fall.

Kudos to members of the local construction team. Maybe they should start their own construction company.