Sailors Volunteer During Milwaukee Navy Week 2010

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Pat Migliaccio, Navy Office of Community Outreach Public Affairs

June 14, 2010 - MILWAUKEE, Wis. (NNS) -- Fourteen Sailors volunteered their time to help Habitat for Humanity construct a home for a needy family June 10 in Milwaukee, Wis.

Habitat for Humanity is an international non-profit organization devoted to building simple, affordable housing for those with limited financial resources.

Homes are built using volunteer labor and then sold at no profit.

"Our mission is to build safe, descent and affordable housing for low income families," said Jim Lambe, the Habitat for Humanity site leader. "The Sailors here today are working really hard and doing a great job putting up drywall. When finished, this will be the 416th home Habitat for Humanity has completed in the Milwaukee area."

"You can't put a price tag on this," said Capt. Michael Elliot, executive assistant, Commander, Naval Service Forces Pacific and a Milwaukee native. "We have a saying on ship to always 'pay it forward.' In other words, when you give back to others and the community, we all stand to benefit in the future."

Sailors worked all day to put up dry wall in the bathroom, hallways and bedrooms of the house while the future home owner along with her two children looked on in excitement.

"This is what the Navy is all about," said Builder 1st Class Michael Ludwig, assigned to Navy Operational Support Center Milwaukee. "Being here shows the community we care and are willing to help them out.

"It's terrific that the Navy is here today to help get the job done," added Lambe. "It gives the Navy visibility in the community while contributing to a wonderful cause, building a home so a family can experience the pride of home ownership."

This project coincided with Milwaukee Navy Week 2010, one of 20 Navy weeks planned across the United States in 2010.

Navy Weeks are designed to inform Americans on the importance of naval service and increase awareness in cities that might not otherwise see the Navy work on a regular basis.