Navy Chiefs Los Angeles'Anchor Up' to Build Home

LOS ANGELES (NNS) -- Chief petty officers from Navy Recruiting District (NRD) Los Angeles assisted in the construction of a new home in Lawndale, Calif., May 14.

The two-bedroom home is being built by Habitat for Humanity, a foundation that uses donations from local and national donors, along with labor from volunteers, to build or refurbish homes for families who meet their income criteria.

"As an organization, our (chief's) mess is always looking for ways to give back to the community," said Chief Navy Counselor Brian Burch, a native of Chino, Calif. "Knowing we're helping to give a family a place to call home feels very nice."

"The partner families who are selected as recipients are required to contribute physically, as well as financially, to the construction of their home," said Chris Untiet, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles' AmeriCorps Faith and Community Relations coordinator. "They see their home up close at each stage of construction and that 'sweat equity' really gives them a sense the home is truly their own."

The NRD Los Angeles chief petty officers were responsible for assisting with framing the walls and securing the ceiling beams in the single story home.

"Getting the beams up took a lot of coordination," said Senior Chief Navy Counselor Anthony A. Murphy, from Glendale, Ariz. "It's pretty neat seeing the house at this stage [of construction] because when we come back [at the dedication ceremony] we'll be able to watch the family get the keys to a home we helped to build."

The more than 100 volunteer hours dedicated to the project is one of many community outreach projects the command is participating in during 2011.

"We recognize that 'big Navy' is 'America's Global Force for Good' and we look at what we're doing here in Los Angeles as a local force for good," said Lt. Jason Julao, NRD Los Angeles' operations officer. "We live here and giving back to our communities here helps to ground us good neighbors and good friends."

For more news from Navy Recruiting District Los Angeles, visit www.navy.mil/local/nrd-la/.