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Volunteers measure twice, cut once, change lives forever

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Drew Nystrom
  • Headquarters, Air Force Reserve Command
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  More than 85 people from Headquarters Air Force Reserve Command turned out April 25 to repair five area homes as part of Rebuilding Together 2009.

Rebuilding Together is the largest nonprofit home repair organization in the country. It has more than 200 affiliates, including one in Warner Robins.

Volunteers donate their time and skills to help low-income homeowners by providing material and labor for routine maintenance projects the owners cannot afford or accomplish on their own.

"I'd say our usual clients are single women over the age of 70, widowed, and living on a fixed income," said Neal Snyder, Headquarters AFRC Rebuilding Together coordinator. "Most of the time, you can tell basic periodic or preventative maintenance hasn't been done in many years," said Mr. Snyder who is also a program analyst for the headquarters.

Although Rebuilding Together is a charity, the homeowners are treated with respect, according to Mr. Snyder.

"We always refer to the folks as clients and think of the projects as pay projects," he said. "It just so happens the negotiated rate is $0."

Repairs made by volunteers from the headquarters and their families ran the gamut from replacing and repainting window trim to installing new vinyl siding and everything in between.

Ms. Doretha Hamilton, a Rebuilding Together 2009 client, said the volunteers can never know how much their time and efforts are appreciated, especially by someone who lives by herself.

"I've been on dialysis for nearly 10 years and the Rebuilding Together waiting list for two," said Ms. Hamilton.

"I could never accomplish what these [volunteers] and their families have done in one day," she said. "They're wonderful people."

Maj. Gen. Hanferd J. Moen Jr., director of Air, Space and Information Operations at the headquarters, said his involvement in the program is simple.

"Warner Robins really is a military community built around the base, and we get incredible support from the local community," he said. "This is a good chance to help those who can really use the help."

Mr. Snyder shares the general's feelings about why volunteers participate in Rebuilding Together.

"Speaking for the majority of the people I work with on these houses, we're not working for their gratitude," said Mr. Snyder.

"We're getting satisfaction from having the skills, abilities, time and means to be able to help others," he said. "People need help. I feel like I've led a very blessed life and I've got the skills and ability to go out and help someone else."

Besides volunteering his carpentry skills, General Moen said it's important for senior leaders to get involved and to support the volunteers.

"To be out with your folks and to show support and appreciation for them is important," said the general, "not only for what they do day-in and day-out at work but in efforts like this. It is neat to see the sons, daughters and families out giving back together."

Headquarters AFRC's participation in the program expanded years ago when Retired Lt. Gen. James E. Sherrard III, then the AFRC vice commander, sought a teambuilding opportunity to bring headquarters members together. The closest affiliate was in Macon during the initial years, but Col. Rick Ryder and Chaplain (Col.) Larry Welton soon brought the program to Warner Robins where the partnership has flourished ever since.

Assisting low-income clients is just one of Rebuilding Together's focuses. Volunteers also help disabled veterans, families in need and victims of disasters.

People can learn more about the Rebuilding Together program by going to its Web site at www.rebuildingtogether.org