Wow! Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity (FAHFH) stepped it up this year to commemorate 2022 Veterans Day. As a Veterans Build affiliate the organization takes the mission to “Serve, Honor, and Build” to heart. This year FAHFH didn’t just do home repair on one deserving Veteran; the organization started and will complete 6 home repairs all in the month of November. Veterans Build 2022 was kicked off with a two day, two site volunteer build event. The event was held on November 4th and 5th. With the help of 120 volunteers FAHFH helped restore two homes to a safe and livable conditions for two honorable Veterans. With a staff including six Veterans and two Veteran board members, the organization knows the importance of involving the community into the project. The community involvement started with the sub-contractors chosen for the repairs. They donated their time and skills to help with the repairs, the donated labor helped keep the overall cost of each repair down to just materials. Working alongside the construction staff and amazing sub constructors were the 120 volunteers. The volunteer groups included active-duty soldiers, Veterans, civilians, military related organizations, high school organizations, and businesses. (The full list of volunteer groups is listed below)
Each day of the two-day event, the volunteers were given task such as demolition, laying flooring, installing siding, and much more. Local vendors served the Volunteer groups lunch which was donated by Mission BBQ, Agora Restaurant, Shot Gun BBQ and Bubba’s 33. This gave the volunteers the opportunity to socialize with other volunteers and share stories. Retired Command Sergeant Major William P. Franklin spoke to each group about the importance of community and his experience with being a Veteran. At the end of each day the FAHFH Construction Team awarded one lucky volunteer a box of Moose’s Munchies Cookies to show the organizations appreciation for their hard work, volunteerism and sacrifice. FAHFH awarded two volunteer groups, USASOC Civil Affairs and Leidos, Inc. a wooden American flag sign donated by FLI Wood creations to recognize their efforts and enthusiasm while on the build site.
Each of the 6 home repairs are completed at no cost to the homeowner. This was made possible by the Veteran Build sponsors, including Fort Bragg Credit Union, Veterans United Home Loans, Leidos, Trojans Homes for Heros, NC Star remodeling, CliKK Accounting, and the Fayetteville Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta. The Home Depot Foundation, Veterans Home Repair and Modification Program (VHRMP- a HUD supported program), and the City of Fayetteville Economic and Community Development Department provided other funding and support to finance the repairs. Without the financial support of the sponsors and grants, the event and home repairs would not have been possible. FAHFH also raised over $6,000 dollars in local donations and gifts-in-kind to facilitate and aid the Veteran Build repair program continue repairs for Veterans in need.
Veterans Build is about more than repairing a Veterans roof, flooring, or bathrooms. The program is about restoring the homeowner’s way of life and giving the Veterans hope and support. Many Veterans find it hard to ask for help. Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity takes the stigma away and pours hope and support into the lives of Veterans who others wise might not receive the help they need and deserve. This program would not be possible without community partnerships including Purple Heart Homes, Nu Gamma Rho Military Wives Sorority, Veterans Bridge Home, the Home Depot Foundation-Repair Corps, Home Builders Institute (a soldier transition training program), Operation Home Front, Owens Corning Roof Deployment program, USO NC, Unite Us, Veterans Affairs (VA) and Veteran Service Offices, and many others.
Event Sponsors:
Fort Bragg Credit Union
Veterans United Home Loans
Trojans For Heros
Fayetteville Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta
NC Star Remodeling
Click Accounting Services
Leidos, Inc
Community Partners:
Stanly Scott
DNA Holding
Home Builder Institute (HBI)
Home Depot Foundation- Repair Corp
Owens Corning Roof Deployment program
City of Fayetteville, Economic and Community Development Department (providing CDBG Funds for Repairs)
New Mission Baptist Church
Lunch Sponsors:
Bubba’s 33
Missions BBQ
Shot Gun BBQ
Agora Restaurant
In-Kind Donations:
FLI Wood Creations
Mooses Munchies Cookies
Kraken-Skull
Manna Church
Coastal Crawl Space Repair
USA Flooring
Starbucks, Cross Creek Mall
Honorable Recognition:
Habitat for Humanity International, Ms. Stacy Summerset, Associate Director by facilitating coordination of Veteran Housing Rehabilitation and Modification Program (VHRMP) processing and funding of over $30,000.00 in funds for FAHFH.
Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) VHRMP grant funding will have provided over $30,000.00 in funding for the 6-9 Veteran Repairs that FAHFH will complete through November and December. "The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), through Habitat for Humanity International, provided funding for the project from the Veteran Home Repair and Modification Pilot Program (VHRMP)."
The Home Depot Foundation for provision of funding Veterans Repairs projects, supporting FAHFH Veteran Build projects (2022 Fennel Rd, plus others for month of November/December).
Habitat for Humanity International Veterans Build Staff, Ms. Tracy Coffin (U.S. Army), Ms. Erica Dodge, Mr. Michael DeLaRosa (U.S. Marine), in support of FAHFH with guidance, advice, and funding for Veterans Build.
Owens Corning Roof Deployment Program, scheduled to do two roof repairs for Veterans in the Fayetteville general service area.
Preston Jackson (U.S. Army, ret), previous Veteran Build and HDF recipient, provided guidance and support to the Smith family at Garnett Dr. to apply for VA programs, benefits, and support assisting them through the process and with points of contact.
Volunteer Groups:
Veterans United Home Loans
Reception Element for JSOC
14th Air Support Operations Squadron
C2 IT
Fox Troop, 1-17 ACS
43rd Force Support Squadron
92nd Civil Affairs Battalion
18th Combat Weather Squadron
43rd Comptroller Squadron
Leidos, Inc
82nd Airborne Sustainment Brigade
98th Civil Affairs Battalion
XVIII Airborne Corps
Clikk Accounting Services/NCStar Remodeling
Home Builder Institute
Womack Department of Behavior Health
Fort Bragg Credit Union
112th Signal Battalion
Medical Detachment Veterinary Service Support
Delta Sigma Theta Fayetteville Alumnae Chapter
Trojans for Heros