Base volunteers help build Habitat for Humanity home Published Oct. 3, 2007 By Steve Pivnick 81st Medical Group Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- In spite of threatening weather, members of the 81st Surgical Operations Squadron spent Sept. 21 helping construct a Habitat for Humanity home in Gulfport. They were joined by approximately 30 technical training students from the 338th Training Squadron. According to Col. (Dr.) Bartlett Hayes, 81st MSGS commander, he invited his unit to become involved because he "wanted to have a squadron function aimed at post-Katrina recovery." He coordinated the activity with local Habitat for Humanity officials. After a safety briefing by Habitat staff, the Keesler volunteers went to work on the house on 42nd Avenue near the Naval Construction Bat-talion Center and Gulfport Memorial Hospital. Among the 81st MSGS members were Colonel Hayes, Lt. Col. (Dr.) James Dolan, Lt. Cols. Angela Thrasher and Sharon King, Maj. (Dr.) Michael Morris, Master Sgt. Lorna Dembo and Linda Sarpy. Colonel King, a reservist, had completed her two-week assignment with the squadron but volunteered to stay an extra day to help with the project. "I learned a lot about Habitat for Humanity," Colonel Hayes said. "They partner with people who can afford to pay the mortgage for the new home, but are living in substandard housing, such as a FEMA trailer. The new homeowners volunteer as well, spending 80 hours in construction and 40 hours of classes. They pay $50,000 for the house with an interest-free 20- to 30-year mortgage and in the end they have a 1,000-square-foot, three-bedroom, 1 1/2 bathroom brand-new home." Construction is done by volunteer labor, and many companies donate construction materials. Some work, like plumbing and wiring, is done by professionals." "The beneficiaries get a brand new, landscaped home," the colonel pointed out. "This helps improve a neighborhood which may be in some disrepair due to Katrina. When a Habitat for Humanity home appears, others in the neighborhood seemed to be inclined to improve their own property. Everyone realizes the efforts can help increase property values for all." "It's a great way to support the local community and make a huge difference in people's lives," Colonel Hayes added.