Air National Guard learning center gives through home building

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Mike R. Smith
  • I.G. Brown Training and Education Center
McGHEE TYSON AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Tenn. --  At least 25 Airmen with the Air National Guard's I.G. Brown Training and Education Center here brought hammers and carpentry skills to bear to help Knoxville residents Saturday, March 9 by finishing their home through "Habitat for Humanity."

Staff, instructors and students of the Center, which manages the Air Guard's enlisted professional military education, helped build a new home for the Gorlov family.

Known nationally, Habitat for Humanity completed 26 homes last year in the Knoxville area. Its volunteers build homes for low-income residents at no cost.

"The Habitat for Humanity's volunteer team leads said we were a great group of hard-working individuals," said Tech, Sgt. Brandy Kelly, TEC instructor.

The Guard members shingled the roof as well as framed the home's interior walls, among other work. The winter weather was also giving, with it sunny and near the 60s.

Kelly said previous classes and instructors first volunteered more than 350 hours at the non-profit organization's store to gain their respect and show the dedication of the unit to want to build homes for underprivileged families.

Saturday's volunteers included 13 students from the Paul H. Lankford Enlisted Professional Military Education Center's Noncommissioned Officer Academy. The students were a welcome addition to get the home complete and the family moved in.

"The turn out and hard work of our team will open the doors for future Habitat for Humanity home-buildings," said Kelly. "It was an awesome job!"