Photo By Staff Sgt. Julio Olivencia Jr | New York Air National Guard Senior Airman Stephanie Lloyd, of the 105th Logistics...... read more read more
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NEWBURGH, N.Y. - More than a dozen members of Stewart Air National Guard Base community donated their time to help Habitat for Humanity build a trio of houses in the City of Newburgh on Saturday, Nov. 21.
Seventeen members of the New York Air National Guard's 105th Airlift Wing, including 15 airmen ranging from senior airman to senior master sergeant and two civilians employed by Boeing Co., returned to Clark Street in Newburgh to continue the project they began in April.
“Initially we had started this project with just the foundation,” 105th First Six Council President Tech. Sgt. Daniel DiChiara said. “Coming back to the same house is actually pretty rewarding.”
The members spent four hours painting, caulking, and preparing the property for the installation of concrete pads that will be part of Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant walkways.
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh Board President Rick Schoenberg said the nonprofit works with the families to provide affordable housing to low-income families, who purchase the homes.
“They’re homeowners,” Schoenberg said. “They buy the house, they pay the mortgage, they pay the taxes, they contribute to Newburgh, they become part of the fabric of the community, and it’s a positive step not only for the individual family, but for Newburgh as a whole.”
The nonprofit has built 75 houses to date, but one of the Clark Street homes is special in that it will be the first built for a disabled veteran.
The importance of the project is not lost on the volunteers.
Senior Airman Stephanie Lloyd, who coordinated the partnership with Habitat, said it is important for her to give back to the veteran community.
“To know that these veterans have sacrificed so much to us, especially now that they may be confined to a wheel chair or something, and we’re giving back more to them then just our service,” Lloyd said.
Lloyd said she is committed to continuing the relationship into the future by organizing volunteer events twice a year.
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh Volunteer Coordinator Steven Swyryt said he is happy to have the help and looks forward to working with the base.
“We love having any military group come and volunteer. You guys are always some the hardest workers -probably the hardest workers - we get here on site,” Swyryt said.
Story By Staff Sergeant Julio Olivencia, 105th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
| Date Taken: | 11.21.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 12.17.2015 12:29 |
| Story ID: | 184785 |
| Location: | NEWBURGH, NEW YORK, US |
| Web Views: | 257 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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