Soldiers Help Give Local Family the American Dream

Photo By Sgt. Sharon Hinkle | Pictured from left to right with Monica Stallworth (center), are Spc. James Ryals, Spc. Daniel Baum, Sgt 1st Class Patrick Nichols, Lt. Col. Wilton Jackson, Maj. James Howard, all with the 3/349th Logistical Support Battalion, 177th Armored Brigade, Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center, Camp Shelby, Miss., and retired Navy Cmdr. Billy Pierce. All were volunteers for a home built for Stallworth by Habitat for Humanity. Westpoint Baptist Church, where Stallworth is a member and Pierce serves as the mission coordinator, donated approximately $70,000 for the materials and labor for the build.  

UNITED STATES

10.13.2009

Story by Sgt. Sharon Hinkle 

177th Armored Brigade

The American Dream of home ownership is about to come true for Hattiesburg, Miss. resident Monica Stallworth, thanks to the organization "Habitat for Humanity", Westpoint Baptist Church in Hattiesburg, and several Soldiers of the 3rd Battalion, 349th Regiment, 177th Armored Brigade, Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center, Camp Shelby, Miss.

"Mrs. Stallworth's home is one of five being built by "Habitat for Humanity," said Maj. James Howard, an engineer with the 3/349th and a Deacon at Westpoint Baptist Church, and also serves as the site supervisor for the construction of the home. "Our church is sponsoring the building of the home by purchasing the $70,000 worth of materials and the labor, which is approximately 200 volunteers," said Howard.

Stallworth, also a member of Westpoint Baptist Church and a native of Pascagoula, Miss., and works as an insulation maker, is very excited about the build. "This is my first home and I helped build it," said Stallworth. "The process started when I attended a Habitat for Humanity orientation and completed an application. After my credit was approved, I had to complete 250 "sweat hours" on other homes being built. I also have to complete 250 sweat hours on my home. So far, I have 170."

According to Howard, the home will be complete in just three days. "I'm going to have volunteers out here around the clock, and plan to hand Monica the keys in 72 hours."

"Oh my gosh," said Stallworth when she heard the news. "I can't believe it. I had no idea this would happen so fast."

Spc. James Ryals and Spc. Daniel Baum, both with 3/349th and volunteers on the project, are both proud to be a part of the effort. "This makes you feel good to know you were part of helping give someone their first home," said Ryals.

"I'm glad to be out here helping," said Baum. "It's a great thing what the church and Habitat for Humanity are doing out here, and I'm glad to say I was part of it."

When asked how he felt about helping to make the project happen, Billy Pierce, the mission coordinator for the church, and a retired Navy pilot, simply said, "it's indescribably awesome."

With the knowledge of the move-in date fresh on her mind, Stallwoth says she cannot wait to bring her three children home. "I will continue to build other homes once my home is done," said Stallworth. "This is definitely a dream come true."

• Date Taken: 10.13.2009
• Date Posted: 10.13.2009 17:00
• Story ID: 40058
• Location: US