With construction in his background, it was easy for Airman 1st Class Eric Watson to pitch in with a Habitat for Humanity project Aug. 19 in Aiken.
"I did construction all my life," said Airman 1st Class Watson, who was among about a dozen airmen from Fort Gordon's 31st Intelligence Squadron volunteering to work on Aiken's 54th Habitat for Humanity house.
The project was a way "to serve the Lord and be a helping hand to the less fortunate," said Airman 1st Class Watson, who has worked on several Habitat projects in the Ocala, Fla., area.
Airmen and other Habitat volunteers packed into the 1,150-square-foot home on Newberry Street, cutting and hanging wallboard. Another team placed the vinyl on the exterior.
Unlike Airman 1st Class Watson, Airman 1st Class Vanessa Rangel had never worked on a construction project.
"I've done other volunteer work, but I've never done Habitat for Humanity," she said.
Habitat for Humanity's Executive Director Richard Church was pleased with the turnout.
"We're excited about this," he said. "It's not often we get service people on active duty to help us."
The Aiken project was the second Habitat for Humanity house the airmen had worked on in the span of a week.
"We worked last Saturday in Augusta," said Lt. Col. Marilyn Jenkins, the commander of the 31st Intelligence Squadron.
"It's all about being part of the community," she said.
The Air Force sends its personnel to all parts of the world, but it's important for the airmen to feel at home, she said.
"We live in the community and want to be a part of the community," Lt. Col. Jenkins said.
It takes volunteers, primarily working Fridays and Saturdays for about four months, to complete a Habitat for Humanity home, Mr. Church said.
The Newberry Street home has three bedrooms, 1 bathrooms, a living room, dining room and kitchen. It also has a deck on the side and a front porch.
Reach Charmain Z. Brackett at czbrackett@hotmail.com.
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