Shaw volunteers help build community for 54 local families

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Joel Mease
  • 20th Fighter Wing
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. (AFPN) --  Three times a week, volunteers here help build Habitat for Humanity housing for families in need. 

For some, building new homes has become a way of life.

Master Sgt. Christopher Krohn, one of the lead volunteers from Shaw, is working on his 16th Habitat for Humanity house. 

Volunteers started their current project of three houses in early September, and approximately 20 volunteers from Shaw are on site each, Sergeant Krohn said. Sergeant Krohn is assigned to the 20th Mission Support Squadron.

"We've had such a great turnout. We've been able to work on Wednesdays and Thursdays as well as the normal Saturdays," Sergeant Krohn said. 

The community will house 54 families and Habitat hopes to have the families settled in before the holidays, he said. 

Volunteers don’t need construction experience or know-how. Instead, they just need a pair of willing hands to work. 

"We will provide the tools and the know-how," Sergeant Krohn said. 

Volunteering for Habitat for Humanity has an added advantage as well: learning how to do household repairs. 

"If you ever plan on being a homeowner, or even if you are one now, you will learn how to do several projects. I've learned something new each week," Sergeant Krohn said. 

Senior Airman Emily Conn from 20th Equipment Maintenance Squadron said she has been able to take what she has learned and apply it at home. 

People volunteer for various reasons. Sergeant Krohn said he volunteered because of his interest in learning to build houses. 

Airman 1st Class Melissa Almaraz from 20th Operations Support Squadron said she volunteered so she could spend quality time with her husband, Senior Airman Sergio Almaraz from the 20th Communications Squadron. 

While the building team appreciates the volunteers who come out for the first time, it's the volunteers that come out several times who help really speed up the building process, Sergeant Krohn said. 

"We have dramatically increased the number of houses we have been able to build because of the number of volunteers from Shaw. We're really looking forward to those who come out multiple times," said Robert Brown, Habitat for Humanity construction manager. 

"Most people are aware Sumter supports our Airmen, but I want people to know how much Shaw supports Sumter," said Mr. Brown. 

With the number of volunteers and more skilled labor now available, it now takes about 12 to 14 months to complete a building project, Sergeant Krohn said. 

"We would not be able to do this amount of work without Airmen from Shaw. We really appreciate their work," said Simon Lank, AmeriCorps representative for Habitat for Humanity in Sumter.