By Joely Edwards
On Veterans Day, Joplin Area Habitat for Humanity honored seven veterans who are active in their community through service work with Habitat for Humanity, and five of these veterans have been recipients of Habitat’s housing services. The event was held at American Legion Post 332/VFW Post 7630 in Webb City, Missouri.
Ralph Beaver and Louis Foraker, who both served in the Navy, were recipients of critical housing repair. Tim Peay, who is a Marine veteran, along with Ronald King, an Army veteran, are both Habitat-build homeowners. Also in attendance were James Hanson of the Air Force, a valued ReStore employee, and Ted Donaldson, a Habitat board member who was recently inducted into the Missouri Veterans Hall of Fame.
The newest build-to-be recipient is Janene Houskeeper, a Navy veteran. Habitat For Humanity prioritizes veterans when it comes to the many types of services it offers. Veterans Build provides homeownership opportunities, A Brush With Kindness offers light exterior repairs for those physically or financially unable to do it themselves, and critical home repair is for those who need to alleviate health and safety issues around their homes.
Joplin Area Habitat for Humanity is staffed with many volunteers and relies on kind-hearted people who are willing to give their time and talents for everything from construction work to funding. They are always looking for volunteers to assist in their construction sites or on one of the committees. Donations to the ReStore and the new ReStore
Too are appreciated as donated items are resold to assist in Habitat house-building goals.
Scott Clayton, executive director of Habitat for Humanity explains, “There is a significant need for affordable housing, defined as housing that costs no more than 30% of a household’s income. Many of our applicants come from renting backgrounds, and nearly half of all renters are cost-burdened. Trends show that market-rate housing will stabilize; however, affordable units are still well short of what is needed.”
Chrolette King, wife of Ronald King, an army veteran, said when she found out they would be recipients of a Habitat for Humanity home, she cried tears of joy. “Habitat for Humanity builds sturdy homes,” she said. “They go above and beyond what it takes to pass a legal inspection. They are the kindest, most caring people. They all get along together, too, and it shows how much they enjoy helping others. They are some of my favorite people.”
When Ronald King returned from war, he went to school to become a paramedic and a firefighter. He was the first paramedic in Missouri to be nationally licensed. He then went on to become a fire chief. Their son is following in his footsteps and is an assistant fire chief. The King family is a reminder that these home builds and repairs help real people with real dreams
Scott Clayton said the most rewarding part of his job is “seeing a plan come together, absolutely love it. And that includes everyone involved with Habitat for Humanity – applicants to homeowners, funders and shoppers at the ReStore, past homeowners, volunteers, builders and staff. It’s a collective effort that in the end results in a changed housing situation. Children can see parents succeed. Friends and family see their loved ones’ lives changed for the better. It’s an opportunity that if you apply the effort, it can result in great changes, which leads to generational changes and belief in what is possible.”If a person is physically unable to help with manual labor, or sweat equity, Clayton said, “We are creative with sweat equity hours. Friends and family can assist with the needed hours. If someone cannot physically complete the work being completed, just being there with our volunteers is a blessing. Hours can also be completed by helping with other nonprofits. A physical disability will not hamper the involvement of the homeowner in taking part. A smile and a thank you can be the best part of a day.”
If you or a veteran you know needs any of these services, reach out to Habitat for Humanity at 417.782.6533.