By Capt. John Hobot
Minnesota National Guard Public Affairs
ST PAUL, Minn. - Minnesota National Guard service members and the Wells Fargo Bank’s Veterans Team Member Network combined forces on Minnehaha Ave in Minneapolis Oct. 5 to complete a Habitat for Humanity project.
On this frigid 42-degree October morning, 22 volunteers from the Minnesota National Guard, Wells Fargo Bank and Habitat for Humanity assembled on the front yard of a busy Minneapolis street.
After a short safety briefing and assignment of tasks by the project’s team leader, volunteers quickly put on their tool belts and began their priorities of work.
The project was a Habitat for Humanity’s “A Brush with Kindness”- an exterior home preservation service that offers painting, landscaping, weather stripping and minor repair services for homeowners in need.
The mission was pretty straight forward. The Minnesota National Guard and Wells Fargo Bank’s Veterans Team Member Network volunteers conducted exterior restoration and preservation efforts in Minneapolis in order to complete critical exterior home repairs for Sgt. Brain Neill, a former Minnesota National Guard soldier and Iraq War Veteran.
“Whenever we can come together to assist a fellow veteran guardsman and his family, that is exactly what we should do! I am thrilled that we get to be a part of this worthwhile, beneficial and positive project, while partnering with such great Minnesota organizations," said the Minnesota National Guard Senior Enlisted Advisor, Command Sgt. Maj. Cynthia Kallberg.
Neill, a 23-year Minnesota National Guard Veteran, deployed in 2005-2007 with Bravo Company, 134th Brigade Support Battalion (134th BSB), 1st Brigade Combat Team of the 34th Infantry Division (1/34th BCT) during Operation Enduring Freedom.
“This is great, this is beyond anything I could expect seeing this many people out here for me and my family,” said Neill.
Overall the mission was a huge success. The Minnesota National Guard and Wells Fargo Bank completed every task assigned.
“It is absolutely wonderful to see people who support veterans and people who are veterans come out to help one of their own,” said Mark Tureak, Habitat for Humanity’s Corporate and In-Kind Donations Coordinator.