Kings Bay Sailors lend a helping hand

The sailors took on several jobs including, working on the roof of the house nailing in eight-foot boards and making sure they fit just right. Then they rolled out tarpaper and nailed it down to the roof to keep it safe from the wind and rain. Habitat finishes a house every 12 to 14 weeks and has a goal of having three houses built in 39 weeks. Electronics Technician 1st Class(SS) Wesley Clay thinks that lending the hand to a person in need is a good reason to donate your time.

"I am enjoying this experience and would like to come do it again sometime in the future," said Lima. "Lending a hand to those in need is what Sailors are supposed to do. It feels good at the end of the day knowing you had a direct impact on someone's life."

Habitat for Humanity International is a non-profit, worldwide organization that works in partnership with people everywhere to build decent, affordable houses, which allow people to live and grow in their communities. The organization has been in Camden County for the past 10 years and is working on its 25th house. Habitat for Humanity challenges people of compassion to provide support through tax-deductible donations, non-interest loans and volunteer labor to build or renovate homes for those in need. Construction is a partnership venture between volunteers and future homeowners. Houses are sold at no profit and with a non-interest mortgage repaid over a 20-year period. House payments are recycled into a Fund for Humanity used to build more houses. According to Local Habitat for Humanity Community Executive Director Christi Gallagher, the life of the Habitat homeowner is dramatically changed and the military volunteers were a big part of that satisfaction.

Pheon Walker, who works at a St. Marys nursing home, is the recipient of the house being constructed. Walker had her world turned upside down four years ago when her daughter Joy Boulware died and she became the legal guardian of her four grandchildren. As her grandchildren grew older, her modest three-bedroom house (which, she and her two sons lived in) could no longer accommodate seven occupants. The house being built will be a five-bedroom home, which, according to Walker, will allow everyone to have a little space to call their own.

"It was okay when the children were little, but now they need a space that allows them to do their own thing," she said. "Providing a proper home for the kids was the main thing I worried about. Without the tremendous support from the community and Habitat for Humanity, I would not have been able to make this happen. I am grateful for all they have done."