Volunteers build homes for veterans in Palm Desert
People took the well being of local veterans into their own hands — literally — in Palm Desert, Wednesday.
More than 100 volunteers from Habitat for Humanity and The Home Depot started building two homes from the ground up on San Benito Circle. The City of Palm Desert donated the lots on which the two homes are being built.
“One for a disabled vet and their family, and one for a low-income vet as well,” said Marty Hartley, Executive Director for Habitat for Humanity Coachella Valley.
The houses will be sold at no profit, with a small down payment and zero-interest mortgage. One of the homes will be ADA compliant for a wounded veteran and his/her family.
In addition, four other homes on the street were redesigned with drought-friendly landscape.
Volunteers traveled from as far as Atlanta to get involved, including Brooke Davis.
“This is all pebbles so you don’t have to water it,” Davis says, pointing at a new walkway for one veteran getting rid of grass in his front yard. “We can do that 36% reduction; it’ll be awesome for that.”
Yes, even a Georgian knows the drought in California forced local water agencies to impose a 36% reduction in water usage.
U.S. Marines from the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms joined the labor force.
Sgt. Ben Knight and Cpl. Johnny Willis are two of the dozen marines that were happy to get off base and break the routine of their daily lives.
“I’m glad I can give back to somebody who served before me,” said Sgt. Knight, holding up the framing for a veteran’s future bathroom. “I always feel good when I do work for someone who has given so much to our country.”
“It’s a volunteer event, and I know this is going to someone in need,” Cpl. Willis agreed. “That’s always a good thing.”
The homes should be move-in ready by the end of November.
Habitat for Humanity Coachella Valley is still looking for two veterans’ families to occupy the new homes.
If you are interested in applying for one of the veteran homes being built in Palm Desert, or if you know of a veteran who may be interested, please call Habitat for Humanity Coachella Valley, (760) 969-6917.
