Battle Management personnel help out Habitat for Humanity

Published Sept. 20, 2011
By Warren P. Russo
Contributing writer

HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- When Habitat for Humanity came to Bedford recently, ten employees from Hanscom's Battle Management Directorate stepped up to do their part, by installing insulation in two of the homes and clearing land for a third one.

"This is the first time we've ever done this, so we had no idea what to expect," said Capt. Brandon Conyers, Enhanced Land/Maritime Mode program manager, who organized the volunteer group. "Fortunately, there's a professional construction manager at the site to direct the volunteers, and we also had one guy in our group who used to build houses for a living before starting his career at the base."

Through a partnership with the town of Bedford, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Lowell has acquired nearly three acres of land and a historic farmhouse located at 130 North Rd. in Bedford. HFHGL plans to renovate the existing house, and build seven new affordable homes, all of which will be designated for deserving, low-income families. To date, this is the largest project HFHGL has undertaken.

On Aug. 26, on their own time, in addition to installing insulation, the Hanscom volunteers worked to clear land of rocks and debris so that a material trailer could be moved in.

Captain Conyers says he's always been interested in the idea of building houses, so when he found out that Habitat for Humanity's Greater Lowell office had a project right here in Bedford, he volunteered his services and raised a ten-person crew, comprised of military, civilian and contractor members from the Aerial Ground Surveillance Systems Division.

"Not only is this a great opportunity for people to make a difference in the local community," said the captain, "it's also a chance to work with fellow employees that you may normally never get a chance to interact with, so it's a win-win proposition."

The goal, according to Captain Conyers, is to get the first two homes completed before winter. The upcoming dates the volunteers are scheduled for are Oct. 4, Oct. 21 and possibly Nov. 11, Veteran's Day.

Although the current team is comprised of Battle Management Directorate members, others are welcome. Work on the four additional homes is scheduled for next spring, and more volunteers will be needed then.

To join Captain Conyers' band of volunteers, call him at 781-377-6983, or email Brandon.Conyers@Hanscom.af.mil.

Habitat for Humanity is always interested in putting volunteers to work and donations. For more information on this project, call 978-692-0927, or email Jeffrey Clack, Bedford Local Partnership chairperson, at bedfordhabitat@lowellhabitat.org.