More than fifty US Southern Command members recently wielded hammers and other carpentry tools, but oddly enough they weren’t responding to or deploying for another natural disaster. Instead, these people volunteered to construct ten houses on October 2nd and 3rd at two Habitat for Humanity sites benefiting local families.

Members of the US Southern Command Hard at Work for Habitat for Humanity

They teamed up with other military and corporate organizations in the area to participate in a housing project named “Navy Days Build”, which is a part of the annual “Fleet Week ‘99” celebration.

Broward County Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Ray West remarked that many volunteers were needed to ensure the completion of the ten houses within a week, the largest-scale project ever attempted by the non-profit organization in Broward.

He said that a large number of volunteers were on Navy ships that weren’t scheduled to port until after the project started, so it made it hard to complete the homes as scheduled without additional help from other military and community organizations.

West asked for more assistance from the community, and many organizations answered the call, including the US Southern Command.

“Had it not been for the volunteers from the Southern Command, we would not have met the ambitious goal we were striving for,” West stressed.

Army Master Sgt. David a Skillman, who spearheaded the volunteer effort with Habitat for Humanity, said that about twenty command volunteers helped build four homes at Davie “Acres”, and another thirty-six volunteers assisted in the construction of another six homes in Hollywood, FL.

“It gives us warm fuzzies helping to build homes for well-deserving families,” said Skillman, works in the US Southern Command Engineer Directorate.

Skillman said command volunteers erected trusses, laid plywood, roofing paper and shingles, worked on landscaping, and also worked on interior sheathing and drywall.

“We did everything we could to help build those houses,” he said, “Each of the volunteers felt good about helping people help themselves.”

Navy Capt. Carol Schmidt, US Southern Command inspector general, said building these homes was a great opportunity for her to meet people and to give something back to the community.

Schmidt, who worked at the Dave “Acres” site, said it’s hard work, but fun to see the completed structure. It’s even more fun, she said, to see the people who will enjoy the home.

Bob Brown, from the US Southern Command Engineer Directorate, who also worked at the Davie “Acres” site, said he really enjoyed doing construction work instead of pushing paper across his desk. But more importantly, he said, he volunteered to help people—not give them things.

West explained that the homes are sold at cost to low-income families with stable incomes. Habitat homeowners pay no down payment, receive interest-free mortgages, and are required to put 400 hours into the construction of their home.

The total family income falls between $15,000 and $30,000, depending on family size. The Family Selection Committee thoroughly checks each family before they are given the opportunity to buy a home, he said.