TAMPA – Habitat for Humanity of Tampa Bay Hillsborough’s annual Veterans Build Week of Service brought volunteers together to fix and build homes for veterans and their families.
As part of the week, volunteers helped build a new home for U.S. Army veteran Brian Nakamura, who has been raising six children, ages 4 to 14 years, with his wife in a cramped townhouse.
Nakamura worked alongside volunteers from Friends of Military Families wielding hammers, saws and power tools to construct the family’s new five-bedroom home in the Windhorst Commons community in Brandon.
For some of the kids, it will be the first bedroom of their own.
“We are so grateful and honored to be standing here today, seeing the home taking shape with the support of Habitat, volunteers and our community,” Nakamura said. “They’re not just building a roof and walls, they’re showing support for veterans like me and building a foundation for our children’s future.”
Volunteers worked on essential home repairs and improvements for veteran homeowners across the county.
Marine Corps veteran Elijah Straker-Gooden and U.S. Coast Guard veteran Henry Gauvreau, who both recently became Habitat for Humanity homeowners, worked alongside volunteers from Lowe’s, Johnson & Johnson, and West Florida Fence to build utility sheds and install security fencing for their homes.
Linda Hardy, whose late husband Alfonzo Hardy had served in the U.S. Army, was grateful to Southeastern Roofing, which spent a day replacing her aging roof that was badly damaged in last year’s hurricanes.
Support for the Veterans Build Week of Service was also made possible through the nonprofit’s seventh annual Veterans Inshore Slam Fishing Tournament. The event raised more than $130,000 to fund these home repairs and new builds for local veteran families.
“Our generous sponsors and inspired volunteers really stepped up this week to show their respect and serve those who served,” said Habitat for Humanity of Tampa Bay Hillsborough CEO Tina Forcier. “This work reflects our commitment to housing and shows our veterans the gratitude and respect they deserve for their service to our country.”
