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Outside the fence: Airmen build homes for better lives

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Tabatha Zarrella
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  In the United States, 48.5 million people are living in poverty. Worldwide, 827.6 million people live in urban slums with unclean water and insanitation, taking more than 1.8 million lives of children every year. As the cost of living rises, minimum wages aren't keeping up, making it challenging to afford decent housing.

Hundreds of service members from Shaw Air Force Base, S.C, partnered with the community to volunteer for Habitat for Humanity in Sumter, to work on the 116th home for a resident family.

Habitat is a charitable organization that builds or repairs homes for people around the world who live in unsanitary and/or unsafe living conditions.

"We are currently working on a subdivision which will contain about 50 homes built by volunteers of habitat," said Bob Brown, local Habitat for Humanity construction director. "This will be our 116th home in Sumter."

The organization has a lot of Sumter residents and a vast number of military members who volunteer regularly, Brown said.

"Anyone from the earliest age of 14 years old is able to volunteer, 14-16 need an accompanied adult," he continued. "The oldest we had volunteer, was an 89 year old retired Air Force member who came out to help almost every day."

"Of all the years I've been with habitat, I've never had volunteers who didn't absolutely love coming out to help," Brown expressed.

Volunteers all have their own reasons why they volunteer with the habitat organization.

"Most of our volunteers who come out, take time away from their families and/or work to help those in need," he said.

"Habitat often gets several groups and squadrons that take time out of their duty day to come help," he said. "Depending on the task that day, we usually limit 35 volunteers for large tasks such as building the framework of the homes to about 15 people for smaller tasks such as painting, and wiring."

Many people volunteer for different reasons, whether it's learning new home improvement skills, giving back to the community or because of religion, explained Brown.

"I volunteer with habitat because in the Bible it says, James 2:14-17 'Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, 'Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed.' But does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? If it is not accompanied by action, is dead," said Senior Airman Eric Nagel, 20th Contracting Squadron contracting specialist.

Habitat volunteers get a chance to work with numerous homeowners and their families.

"About five years ago, a little boy was so excited to help with his new home," Brown said. "He would always run up to me to give me a hug. Even after his home was built, about ten years later, he would see me and have his mother stop by so he could still give me a hug. That touched me so much."

"How could you not like seeing the happiness you helped put on people's faces," he continued, as he glanced out the window with a grin on his face and a tear in his eye.

Not only do volunteers get the chance to put smiles on homeowners' faces, but they also learn new tips and tools when it comes to their own homes.

"My wife and I've contributed about 50 hours to the organization," Nagel explained. "One of my favorite things about helping out with habitat is getting to meet new people and learning home improvement."

As part of being a homeowner, one of the qualifications is each family is required to contribute at least 350 hours of volunteering with Habitat for Humanity.
Tammy Maxfield and her family have contributed more than 400 hours.

"My husband and I love going out and seeing the progress of our home piecing together," Maxfield said. "The volunteers always have a smile on their faces."

"My family loves coming out to help with other habitat homes," said Tammy Maxfield, Habitat for Humanity homeowner. "We not only get to meet the people who helped change our lives but we get to give back to others as well."

Many people are unaware of the qualifications to be a habitat homeowner.

"After hearing about Habitat for Humanity through a friend, I had always been skeptical," said Maxfield. "After waiting 25 to 40 days, my family and I were selected and qualified for a home."

Each homeowner and their family are able to help build and/or repair other homeowners' homes.

"When I received the news, I had an overwhelming happiness," she continued. "In my late forties, I've never owned a home, and now I finally will. This is my house, my home!"

Habitat enables homeowners and volunteers to work side-by-side while building or repairing each house.

"Each person, whether it be the volunteers or the homeowners, grow to be fond of one another and make some of the greatest memories," said Brown.

Everyone who contributes to habitat helps change lives of the homeowners, he continued.

"Regardless of a person's experience or inexperience, Habitat for Humanity can always use more volunteers," said Michelle Huff, a volunteer.

"Without volunteers, Habitat for Humanity wouldn't be able to exist," Brown said. "If we have no volunteers, we can't build or repair."

To volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, there is a website (www.helphabitatforhumanity.org) with a schedule and locations.

"I would like all volunteers to know that my family and I are so thankful," Maxfield said. "You are what made this possible. It's been one of the most positive experiences."

Brown and all the volunteers wiped the sweat from their brows; for today may be over, but tomorrow they'll pick up their tools and go back to helping put smiles on faces of so many--building homes for better lives.