FORT BRAGG, North Carolina (Nov. 15, 2018) -- Members of the 900th Contracting Battalion and Mission and Installation Contracting Command at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, donated their off-duty time to support the Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity initiative "Rock the Block" in October.
Habitat for Humanity sought volunteers to assist with power washing, painting, yard work and small exterior home repairs. MICC members from the battalion and contracting office transformed a homeowner's front porch by cleaning and painting the entire porch and railing in the B Street community, which has been identified for area improvement and revival.
As part of the initiative, local residents are able to identify housing issues and priorities of critical repair that drive the transformation of the neighborhood and improves their quality of life.
"Civilians and Soldiers of MICC-Fort Bragg and 900th CBN seized on the volunteer opportunity provided by Habitat for Humanity to help those in need throughout the local community by building new homes, painting or simple area beautification," said Leotis Bell, chief of the business operations division for MICC-Fort Bragg.
The day started with coffee and breakfast, bringing smiles to everyone's face, and giving volunteers the opportunity to socialize before the hard work began. An introduction and special thanks was given to all Habitat for Humanity volunteers and a special recognition was given to the members of 900th CBN for donating paint supplies for the project. Announcements were concluded with a safety briefing and the introduction of group leaders who were vastly experienced in construction and painting. All volunteers were motivated and their kindness was overwhelming.
"One of my main missions in life is to help others, and that begins in my local community; helping those that don't ask for much but a skilled hand," said Aura Steele, the Habitat for Humanity group leader and experienced painter.
MICC members from Fort Bragg carried supplies to the residence on B-Street selected for restoration. Capt. Safiul Alam and Francisco Cruzsantiago spearheaded the project by trimming the house and pillars with painters tape to protect the areas from unwanted paint applications. Experienced painters Dwayne Grant and Barrie Johnson started the first application of paint by painting the edges closest to the trim for a sleek and finished look. All volunteers assisted by painting the stairs, porch and railing of the residence.
The pride and teamwork and appreciation from the local community was palpable.
"The Habitat for Humanity volunteer work by far was an eye opener. I never knew how much Habitat for Humanity did in regards to getting needed repairs and services to the community," said Dewayne Grant, a contract specialist for tenant division at MICC-Fort Bragg. "They get out into the communities that can use a hand up on things, such as painting, building houses, cleaning up streets and parks as well as just allowing the community to know that they have some place to turn for needed assistance."
Battalion and contracting office members witnessed first-hand how the Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity transforms neighborhoods and communities and truly impacts the lives of so many people.
About the MICC:
Headquartered at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, Texas, the Mission and Installation Contracting Command consists of about 1,500 military and civilian members who are responsible for contracting goods and services in support of Soldiers as well as readying trained contracting units for the operating force and contingency environment when called upon. The command is made up of two contracting support brigades, two field directorates, 30 contracting offices and nine battalions. MICC contracts are vital in feeding more than 200,000 Soldiers every day, providing many daily base operations support services at installations, facilitate training in the preparation of more than 100,000 conventional force members annually, training more than 500,000 students each year, and maintaining more than 14.4 million acres of land and 170,000 structures.
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