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Home sweet home: Habitat, volunteers make it possible

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Bekah Phy
  • 305th Air Mobility Wing public affairs
McGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. --  Mary Gallagher doesn't see anything special about her life. She says she does what she must to get by, but many see it differently. This 25-year-old single mother is raising three children, one of whom is disabled, and her 16-year-old sister.

Mary works her shift job putting together circuit boards and lived in a cramped home that didn't adequately house her and her four family members. To afford rent, she had taken on three roommates, and roaches also occupied the home. All eight people shared a two-bedroom apartment.

Now, Mary and her family live in a new Habitat for Humanity house that volunteers helped build.

This story is just one of many posted on the Habitat for Humanity Web site. Members from the 305th Communications Squadron have been helping families like Mary's for more than one year. 

In 2006, Senior Master Sgt. John O'Donnell, 305th CS Operations Flight superintendent and Habitat Board of Directors member, got involved with the non-profit organization that seeks to eliminate poverty and provide housing for those who are less fortunate.

He and 1st Lt. Jay Hart, 305th CS Plans and Programs deputy flight commander, lead the effort and got other squadron members involved. The groups of volunteers have already helped complete two homes in the past year and are currently working on two more in Beverly, N.J.

"Since my arrival to McGuire in June, I've seen 305th CS members actively engaged with Habitat for Humanity," said Lt. Col. Robert Licciardi, 305th CS commander. "I have been to the Beverly sites on a few occasions and can testify to the spirit of service of the warriors in our squadron; particularly leaders and servers like Sergeant O'Donnell and Lieutenant Hart. I spoke with the Habitat construction manager in August and he said Habitat would not have been able to turn over the homes to the new owners four months ahead of schedule without help from McGuire AFB, which is outstanding!"

"It's so important to volunteer to show our support to the local community and help those who are less fortunate," Sergeant O'Donnell said. "We are truly blessed to be a part of the No. 1 Air Force in the world and when we work with these families, we tell our stories and they begin to see us as people just like them."

The squadron currently sends 30 volunteers on the first Saturday of each month to help with the Habitat homes. Volunteers can help with anything from rough framing to putting up dry wall -- experience is not necessary.

"Habitat is always in need of volunteers, especially now with the way the economy is," Sergeant O'Donnell said. "It's tough for some people to be able to get to some of the work sites, so it's nice to have McGuire volunteers go at least once a month."

The squadron also sends volunteers to Habitat's ReStore in Cinnaminson, N.J., which accepts donations from individuals and businesses for the homes. Two to four volunteers help there every Wednesday, but they are constantly in need of volunteers, Sergeant O'Donnell said. At the restore, volunteers help unload trucks, stock shelves, organize items and make pick-ups.

The volunteers seem to get a lot back from their work on the Habitat projects.

"Our squadron members have benefited so much from volunteering," Lieutenant Hart said. "We meet new and interesting people, we learn tips from skilled individuals, and we've built camaraderie with other unit members who have volunteered."

Sergeant O'Donnell and Lieutenant Hart also added how important it is for everyone -- especially Airmen -- to get involved and volunteer.

"Habitat has been an amazing learning experience for us all," Sergeant O'Donnell said. "Since we've been doing this, we have seen people progress from not being able to swing a hammer to now teaching others how to assemble a house. More than that though, it's an amazing feeling to give back to others."

Mary, who received her home in 2004, had this to say about Habitat for Humanity and the volunteers who helped make her home a reality, "Habitat has truly healed my family, as it has so many others. Not only has Habitat helped me gain a beautiful new home, but also a brighter, healthier future for my children," she said. "Thank you so much for your kind and loving hearts. Without people like you, my family would still be lost in the crowd." 

For more information about Habitat, visit www.habitat.org. To volunteer with the 305th CS or coordinate your own volunteer event with Habitat, call Sergeant O'Donnell at (609) 754-6726.