310th Space Wing members volunteer for Habitat for Humanity

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Scott P. Farley
  • 310th Space Wing Public Affairs
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. --  It is not every day in which volunteers walk away from a day of hard work with not only a sense of accomplishment, but also a new-learned skill.
Air Force Reservists from the 310th Space Wing experienced exactly that after working on a house for the Pikes Peak chapter of Habitat for Humanity in Colorado Springs, Colo., April 7.
The 310th Space Wing Junior Enlisted Council and Schriever Air Force Base 5/6 Council employed an abundance of Reservists and active-duty Airmen volunteers to help Habitat for Humanity in the construction of homes at Woodmen Vistas in eastern Colorado Springs.
"We had more volunteers than we needed, so we had to split them up," said Tech. Sgt. Thip Andrus, the 310th Junior Enlisted Council secretary, who scheduled two shifts of volunteers. "We had more people than we had originally hoped for, and I got great feedback after."
Since 1976, Habitat for Humanity has partnered with families to build over 400,000 homes for more than 2 million people worldwide. The non-profit organization builds homes with carefully selected partner families through donations of money and materials, as well from labor from not only volunteers, but also the future homeowner.
Following a safety briefing, Habitat for Humanity workers and volunteers with varying degrees of construction skills began the day's mission of hanging drywall. The volunteers were broken into smaller groups led by Habitat for Humanity leaders and more the experienced Airmen, each group tackling different parts of the house.
Airman 1st Class Nolden J. Soerensen, a Det. 1 8 Space Warning Satellite systems operator, spent the last 10 years working on custom stairs and homes before entering the Air Force. Airman Soerenson works in home construction in his civilian profession. His experience qualified him to lead a group of Airmen to tackle the elaborate task of drywalling in the bathroom.
"It was the perfect opportunity to help out where I can," said Airman Soerensen, who said he grew up doing this kind of work before taking it on as a civilian profession. "I enjoyed it. There were great people, and it was well organized. I feel like I got more from it than I put in. I'll do it as much as I can in the future."
Airman Soerensen and Habitat for Humanity leaders worked with the Airmen showing them the intricacies of properly setting screws in drywall, working around electrical boxes and pipes, cutting the drywall to fit window and door openings, and measuring and hanging the drywall.
Sergeant Andrus, who was part of a group learning and hanging drywall in the kitchen and living rooms, said having little experience in drywall didn't prevent her from getting a lot from the experience.
"I have definitely never worked with drywall to that extent," said Sergeant Andrus. "But I really enjoyed it. We really left our imprint on the house. I wish I could have stayed longer. I felt like they were teaching us instead of us volunteering for a worthy cause."
Being a worthy cause doesn't mean that Habitat for Humanity always has enough volunteers.
Nikki Richardson, the development and communications director for the Pikes Peak Habitat for Humanity said they are always looking for volunteers, especially during the week.
"We get a ton of military volunteers because the Habitat experience is a little unique," said Richardson. "We sometimes have to turn groups away, because Saturdays are tricky to schedule, but otherwise weekdays are good, so we are always looking for volunteers."
To volunteers or for more information about Habitat for Humanity, visit the Habitat website at www.pikespeakhabitat.org or call Pikes Peak chapter volunteer manager Lindsey Desmarais 719-475-7800.