Habitat for Humanity's first Veterans Build is underway with the demolition of the small blighted home located in Cheyenne's Historic Southside Neighborhood. Habitat staff and supporters were on site to watch the action as Aztec Construction cleared the site for a new home that future owner, Navy Veteran Thomas Redding will build alongside Habitat and the community.
Habitat's Veterans Build Program has created home-ownership opportunities for more than 4,500 veterans nationwide since 2014. Our affiliate was thrilled to answer the call to become a Veterans Build Affiliate, knowing the deep respect our community has for military service members, and knowing for too many Veterans in Cheyenne, the dream of home ownership is out of reach.
This project has been made possible thanks to the incredible generosity of all eight local credit unions. Wanting to help a veteran thrive on the stability inherent of home-ownership they jumped at the opportunity to sponsor the HOUSE THAT CREDIT UNIONS BUILT, and our first VETERANS BUILD project.
Representatives from all four platinum sponsors we're onsite to watch the demo, and some even picked up a sledgehammer and got in on the action!
Representatives from "The House that Credit Unions Built" Platinum Sponsors- Blue Federal Credit Union, Western Vista Federal Credit Union, Meridian Trust Federal Credit Union, and WyHy Federal Credit Union at Habitat for Humanity's Veterans Build project, as the old blighted home on the property is demolished to make way for a new home for Navy Veteran, Thomas Redding to call own.
While the Habitat team originally hoped to renovate the home, it was decided that building new would be the most cost effective option. The tiny home had fallen into disrepair over the years, and as of late was only the home to the neighborhood squirrel community, who could be seen vacating the lot in a harried fashion this morning.
The crew of Aztec Construction made quick work of the demolition, smashing and moving debris with a precision that was quite the sight! The crew, many veterans themselves, was thrilled to hear a new home for a veteran would be built in the aftermath of their destruction, even if they may have been humoring us as we took pictures and swung some sledgehammers for fun. For them, the work was an ordinary day, but for all of us at Habitat it was an extraordinary one.
In a year like 2020, getting this project off the ground was not a given. Timelines had to be adjusted more than a few times, and fundraising for a big project required innovation and creativity. Still the team at Habitat would not surrender to the challenges because to us making a local veteran a homeowner will be more than worth it.
The Habitat Team earlier this year, with future homeowner-
Navy Vet Thomas Redding (center)
We were also joined this morning by our friends from Thrivent and Mrs Wyoming 2020, Amanda Palmer. These supporters have been instrumental to us over the course of this project, offering endless encouragement and support. A Habitat build brings the community together, and we're so glad to call these folks our neighbors! Thanks Jeff, Trott and Amanda!
Finally, if you're like us- you may enjoy the sight of demo in the morning, so here are some photos and video of this morning's work. You can help with the project- your donation will be used to purchase building materials. We'll also need volunteers when its time to build, you can email our volunteer coordinator, Pat McIlwain for more information