Barksdale Airmen build homes for needy families

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Megan M. Tracy
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. (AFNS) --  More than a dozen Barksdale Air Force Base Airmen came together to help give a deserving family the gift of a lifetime March 20 in downtown Shreveport, La.

The volunteers met up at the building site with Habitat for Humanity volunteers, family members and workers from the Military Entrance Processing Station.

After an initial safety brief, everyone lined up on either side of the concrete foundation and on the count of three, raised the wooden beams that would become the walls of the house. 

Building a house takes 23 working days from start to finish. During that time, Airmen will help with everything from hanging sheetrock, putting up walls, installing windows and landscaping.

"We do everything that does not require a license," said Martha Lawrence, volunteer coordinator for Habitat for Humanity. "We have subcontractors who come out and do the electric, plumbing and air conditioning. When we finish this house, it's ready to move in. The only thing the homeowners have to buy is a shower curtain."

"We first came up here after (Hurricane) Katrina," said Michelle Hart, the future homeowner. "When we got here, we met up with Cherie Ashley who's the executive director for Habitat, and an old classmate of mine from New Orleans. She encouraged us to fill out an application, and we were one of the families selected for one of the homes."

Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit Christian housing ministry that partners with volunteers from all backgrounds, races and religions to build houses for families in need. Since its creation in 1976, Habitat for Humanity has built more than 350,000 houses, giving shelter to more than 1.75 million people. To be considered for a house, potential homeowners must fill out an application.

"We have financial guidelines," Mrs. Lawrence said. "You have to demonstrate three things. One is a need for decent housing, which can be because you're living in an unsafe neighborhood, your house is condemned or you're paying too much of your income for rent. The second thing is to demonstrate a willingness to partner with us for 350 hours of sweat equity and finally, you must also have the ability to pay for the house."

The current house under construction will have four bedrooms and two bathrooms. The parents will have their own room. Plus, each of the children, 16-year-old Maya, 15-year-old Mesha and 6-year old Makhi will have their own room they can decorate to suit their budding personalities.

"I love the whole thing," said Ralph Hart, the future homeowner. "It's really a blessing because we have a 6 year old who's full of energy and he needs somewhere to play. I'm really happy."

Habitat for Humanity only has two paid employees. The rest of the workers are volunteers and according to Mrs. Lawrence, having the young Airmen come out and lend a hand with the process, takes some of the strain off the regular workers.

"Well, our regular habitat volunteers are retired and it's much easier for young people to get down and get back up again," she said. "They work hard, take direction really well, they're smart and they do a great job. I love working with them and I would rather work with Barksdale volunteers than anybody."

The retired volunteers for Habitat for Humanity aren't the only ones thankful for the Airmen's help. Mrs. Hart said her family is just as grateful and if she could, she would hug each and every one of the volunteers.

Seeing the junior enlisted servicemembers volunteering their time shows how well-rounded today's military really is, said Army Maj. Gilbert White, the Shreveport MEPS commander and one of the volunteers.

"This shows that if we put our hands together, we can do anything in this country," Major White said. "It shows that we're very proud as military members to come out and help our communities. We've done it in Iraq and Bosnia, we're doing it in Afghanistan and it's time we do it at home."

"We really want to thank everyone, especially Barksdale Airmen, for coming out," Mrs. Hart said. "Everyone thinks everything (in the military) is about politics, but it's really not. It's about the humanitarian effort, just coming out, helping and supporting the community."

In about six weeks, the Hart family will be ready to move into their new home. All the volunteers and representatives from Habitat for Humanity will come together for a dedication ceremony and the formal presenting of the keys to the first-time homeowners.

"It's just awesome knowing you're helping someone out," said Staff Sgt. Michael Watrous, a 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron volunteer. "They may not recognize your name, but they'll remember you for the rest of their lives as being the people who helped build their house."