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21st AMOS Airmen help Habitat for Humanity

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Francis Lalic
  • 21st Air Mobility Operations Squadron
MCGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. --  Lending a helping hand, members from the 21st Air Mobility Operations Squadron helped build houses for Habitat for Humanity in Beverly, N.J., Aug. 16. 

"It's a great program and there is a certain amount of satisfaction that you get from knowing that you helped put a shelter over someone's head," said Master Sgt. Greg Patterson, 21st AMOS volunteer.
 
Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit organization that builds decent and affordable houses for low income families.  

"The last project I was working on with them was a house that was slated for renovations," Sergeant Patterson added. "I was in on the demolition phase. We just tore out of the place, knocking down walls, ceilings, hauling trash."

"It's a great way to learn how to build/fix/repair all while helping out others that will ultimately move in, and that makes me feel good inside," he added.

At the construction site, AMOS volunteers witnessed two houses being inaugurated and turned over keys to both families during the ribbon cutting ceremony.

The construction of the newly built Habitat houses started in early September.

"When I started working on this project for Habitat was just a lot that needed to be cleared and cleaned-up," said," Tech. Sgt. Craig Bittinger, 21st AMOS, who started helping Habitat for Humanity in the Burlington area in 2007.

"It has been a great experience seeing this project through to the end," he said. "You learn quite a lot building a house, let alone two at the same time."

Habitat houses are built and renovated through the joint effort from partner families, students, seniors, licensed professionals, military and any volunteers of at least 16 years of age with various skill levels. 

"My greatest experience while working for Habitat for Humanity is working with different people for the same cause," Sergeant Bittinger added. "One time in particular, I supervised and performed quality assurance of the building of the window frames for both homes. A local Burlington Catholic school was working that day. I taught the teachers and students how to construct the window frames. We had great time learning about the homes and about each other's lives." 

Habitat officials acknowledge and commend all volunteers, especially military members who spend time in helping the organization. 

In 1987, Habitat for Humanity in Burlington County was established as an outgrowth of a United Way housing task force. The main objective for Habitat for Humanity in Burlington is to eliminate substandard housing around county areas through affordable home ownership. According to the Habitat organization, most homes are being built or renovated on abandoned properties, which puts them back on the communities' tax roll and rejuvenates the neighborhood without any additional infrastructure costs. In addition, the Habitat program provides housing that is simple, functional, safe, affordable and low maintenance. 

To qualify for home ownership, applicants must demonstrate housing need, able to pay a low monthly mortgage, provide 500 hours of "sweat equity" and participate in financial workshops and budget counseling. 

For more information, visit www.habitatbcnj.org or call Habitat Executive Director Mavis McGuire at (856) 303-8080.