Habitat For Humanity Builds A Home For A Navy Veteran

CLINTON TOWNSHIP, MI — Navy veteran Tommy Taulbee is getting a brand new home in Clinton Township, thanks to the efforts of Macomb County Habitat for Humanity, and a team of committed Metro Detroit volunteers.

Taulbee was honorably discharged from the Navy in July of 1993 and receives Service Connected Disability. The soon-to-be homeowner is a single man with two teenage sons in college. Taulbee himself is also a college student and works for Volt Workforce Solutions. He is currently living at Salvation Army Harbor Lights Macomb GPD - a transitional housing facility for Homeless Veterans in Clinton Township. That is until he gets to officially move into his new digs.

Helen Hicks, President and CEO of Macomb County Habitat for Humanity, told Patch the veteran's new home has come together through the efforts of many people, "It's a puzzle that we put together. The land was donated to use graciously by Clinton Township and once we had the land we started taking the donated dollars and accumulating them." Hicks says it costs roughly $130,000 to build a house, "and the truth of the matter is that every single dollar for every single house has to be raised."

Three major sponsors stepped up for the veteran's home, KSPG, BAE and AT&T, although Habitat for Humanity still needs to raise $30,000 to complete the house and pay for professional work, like electrical wiring.

However, the blood, sweat and tears the volunteers have poured into the house is just as valuable as the monetary donations pouring in. Hicks says "When KSPG came out to work on the house it was sweltering. I can't tell you how many bottles of water we went through. When AT&T came out it was pouring and they were working in ponchos but they all had a smile on their face and were determined that nothing was going to stop them. They have a great spirit. It's a team effort to build a house. "

If you'd like to contribute a few dollars towards the completion of the veteran's home or volunteer with the Macomb County Habitat for Humanity, click here.

Picture via Dave Tirsell/Macomb County Habitat for Humanity