AAC builds home for Habitat for Humanity

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Shannon Hall
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ABILENE, Texas --  When Saturday morning rolls around, most people stay in bed late or lounge around the house in pajamas watching television, but not members of the Airman's Advisory Council.

On March 27, more than 13 Dyess Air Force Base AAC members worked on constructing a home for the Mendoza family as part of a Habitat for Humanity project in Abilene, Texas.

Airman 1st Class Eric Stoner, 7th Munitions Squadron, coordinated the project.

"I came out to help one day and the Habitat for Humanity lady mentioned some open slabs," he said. "So I sent out a couple e-mails and here we are."

Airman Stoner took it upon himself to get the AAC together to build a house on their own.

Vice president of the AAC, Senior Airman Brett Vazquez, 9th Bomb Squadron, participated in Saturday's building project.

"It means a lot just watching all of these people work hard for a family," Airman Vazquez said. "It shows what a few people can do when they work together."

The home will be 1500 square feet with three bedrooms, and one and half baths.

The AAC is known for volunteering for such things as Habitat for Humanity, as well as The Dyess We Care Team, a volunteer group made up of active duty members, DOD civilians and dependants, who assist disabled and elderly Abileneans, and those in need of minor home repairs.

Yolanda Mendoza, 27, and her 6-year-old son, Nathaniel, are excited to have been chosen to receive this house. This will be her first home to own.

Home owners are chosen based on their willingness to work in partnership with the organization, ability to repay and the family's needs.

The Mendoza's home will not be fully complete for another three months, and every Saturday until then members of the AAC will be working to complete the project.

People interested in helping should stop in at 941 Minda Street. There is no need to call ahead, just show up with your tool belt, hard hat and helping heart.

Airmen interested in becoming a member of the AAC should attend a meeting held every first Wednesday of the month at the Hangar Center. To run for an office position or be able to vote, there is a $12 fee to become a paying member; and you receive a T-shirt.

For more information about the AAC, e-mail Airman Vazquez at Brett.Vazquez@dyess.af.mil.

For more information about Habitat for Humanity, logon to www.abilenehabitat.org.