350 ARS helps raise the roof, provides a home

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jess Lockoski
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  While some may argue that having a house doesn't essentially mean having a home, active duty Airmen are provided roofs over their heads through their military Basic Allowance for Housing, satisfying the basic necessity.

A group of McConnell Airmen from the 350th Air Refueling Squadron recently "paid it forward" by helping construct a house and a home for a deserving family during a Wichita, Kan. Habitat for Humanity project.

"About 15 Airmen from the squadron participated in the build," said Staff Sgt. Justin Walsh, 350th ARS boom operator. "We started the project about the middle of May when the framing was pretty much up. We put the siding up, and from there, we basically put the roof on."

The Airmen attended the home dedication with other community volunteers, June 17, to see the finished project and watch a single mother of two children receive the keys to her new home.

Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit Christian housing ministry that works in partnership with low-income families to improve their living conditions, where selected families pay closing costs and monthly payments on a no interest, no profit mortgage. Families also work with volunteers to build their Habitat homes.

"Having the Airmen volunteer helps lower the cost of the homes for the families," said Marci Hawks, Wichita Habitat for Humanity development director. "Volunteer labor is equal to around $20,000 in saved paid labor costs per house. It's also encouraging for our organization and the families to have the support of our local Airmen and know they are committed to giving back to the community they are stationed in."

Wichita hasn't been the only location Walsh has built a house in. He first started volunteering for Habitat while stationed at Dyess AFB, Texas.

"I definitely feel a sense of accomplishment being able to help because this isn't a mandatory function," said Walsh, a prior aircraft engine maintainer, who likes to work with his hands and enjoyed the construction work. "(The squadron) rarely leaves people hanging. We said, 'Let's take a shot at it,' and we had a really good turnout."

McConnell Airmen have been volunteering with Habitat for Humanity in large groups since 2009. Hawks said in addition to building houses, they have also worked on special events and have helped the organization relocate.

On average, it takes roughly 20 days of volunteering and hundreds of volunteers to build each house - a house that undoubtedly becomes a true home for most.

"Most tell us it means stability for their family," Hawks said, "which is something they haven't experienced ... also a real sense of home and a feeling that they have accomplished something they never thought they would - owning their own home."

Helping give people that gift is something the Airmen foresee with future construction opportunities.

"I absolutely would do this again in the future," said Walsh. "The community welcomes us with open arms everywhere here, and it's been real nice to be able to help out."

To help with future Habitat for Humanity projects, visit www.habitat.org/getinv and the local Wichita chapter at www.wichitahabitat.org/