Triad church kicks off house renovation project for homeless vets

WINSTON-SALEMMembers of a Triad church and hundreds of volunteers spent September 11th giving back to veterans.

They kicked off "Homes for Our Heroes and plan to renovate five houses in Winston-Salem where homeless vets will eventually live.

It's a project military leaders say is much needed in the community.

Volunteers began rehabbing five houses on Wednesday morning off Cameron Avenue. The houses will eventually be home to veterans who don't have one.

"I really don't think the public has a real concept of just how huge this is, especially when you think about the fact that we have nearly a million veteran claims that haven't been addressed yet, said LTCOL Marcus Taylor, a chaplain with the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary.

Whole Man Ministries began fundraising for the project nearly two years ago, lead by Pastor Barry Washington and his wife, Camilla.

From time to time, we'd go down to Samaritan's Ministries, and he met some veterans there that were transitioning. So he wanted something they could call their own, and that's how we got here, Camilla said.

Project organizers are still looking for volunteers. People who are skilled in plumbing, HVAC and electrical are encouraged to get involved.

"We feel honored that we're able to help. Even if it's just a small piece, it's like a ripple in a pond. We hope it will spread, said Bethany Sietsma, who volunteered with Roof Replacements Solutions.

"There's only so much that the VA system can do. So when you have programs like this where a church gets involved, I think this is the kind of thing that's going to help us put a dent in this, Taylor said.

Follow this link:
Triad church kicks off house renovation project for homeless vets