Spc. Jillian Long (left) and Pfc. Stephen Novosel, with the 2nd Battalion, 228th Aviation Regiment, move and organize doors at the ReStore Center business, Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo by Dalton Smith)
Soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, 228th Aviation Regiment donated their time off to help with Habitat for Humanity in Anchorage, Alaska.
Approximately 60 soldiers from 2-228th Avn. Bn.’s various companies worked at Habitat’s Oklahoma Commons Jobsite and ReStore Center business on their one day off during their annual training. From mid-May 2012 through spring 2013, Habitat for Humanity’s Anchorage volunteers and partner families will be building eight homes at the Habitat’s Oklahoma Build site.
Families from around the world who are close to living in poverty will be living in these homes. The families will also help build the homes along the process. For four days the 2-228th Avn. Bn. sent soldiers to volunteer and help construct these houses.
“It makes a difference to me personally,” said Jack Dupier, house leader for Habitat for Humanity, of Homer, Alaska. “I thank God for the soldiers when you show up bringing all different kinds of job backgrounds and working together for us.”
The soldiers spent the day installing doors, painting walls, sealing walls and anything else that might need done on a construction site. Giving their time during annual training is what helps keep Habitat for Humanity around.
“Just knowing that someone will have a roof over their head from the work we’ve done will make me feel blessed,” said 1st Sgt. Carla Sanders, with the 2-228th Avn. Bn., of St. Louis, Mo.
The housing complex will be named “Habitat Community” once complete. The families who are close to living in poverty are the ones who requested to have houses constructed for their families. Some of the families currently helping build the houses—and will eventually live in them—come all the way from Africa and Vietnam.
The soldiers also worked at the ReStore Center business by moving and organizing many household items. This is a building material thrift store run by Habitat for Humanity, Anchorage. The store raises money from items sold that are donated by local general public. Profits here are used directly towards the homes being built at the Oklahoma Commons Jobsite.
“We have just enough staff to keep the lights on,” said Anders Harstad-Bell, Manager of ReStore, of Anchorage, Alaska. “We rely heavily on volunteers and are greatly appreciative for the Soldiers.”
Story by Dalton Smith
354th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
———-
Disclaimer: The appearance of hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense of this website or the information, products or services contained therein. For other than authorized activities such as military exchanges and Morale, Welfare and Recreation sites, the Department of Defense does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations. Such links are provided consistent with the stated purpose of this DoD website.
