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Volunteers pitch in at Habitats veterans build
Boyles Walls 1
Several volunteer groups came together recently to help put up the walls and perform other work at the Habitat for Humanity of Effingham Countys veterans build project. The home is being built for Army veteran Cristal Boyles and her family, including her son Levi and husband Larry. - photo by Photo provided

Habitat for Humanity of Effingham County volunteers built and raised walls to help a military veteran and her family with decent, affordable housing.

Volunteers from Atlantic Tele-Network, Gateway Church, American Legion Post 209 and the Hilton Hotel gave up part of their weekend to help build a home for Cristal and Larry Boyles and their son Levi. The home should be completed in about 90 days.

Effingham Habitat resource director George Groce said without volunteers, the organization cannot build houses or help low-income homeowners with needed repairs. He added volunteer labor is really what makes Habitat homes affordable.

Mark Williams and the team from Atlantic Tele-Network are regular volunteers with Habitat for Humanity. In past years, they have helped build ramps for people who cannot climb steps and also helped First Baptist Church with their Thanksgiving meals program.

Pastor Andy Lamon and several Gateway Church partners are active volunteers throughout the community. In addition to working with Habitat for Humanity, Gateway Church is active with Family Promise of Effingham and Back-Pack Buddies.

For Glenn Deaton, Curtis Jones and Morgan MacComber, volunteering with Habitat for Humanity was an opportunity to help a fellow veteran in the community. Cristal Boyles served on active duty for six years in the Army and during Desert Storm.  She was a truck driver and an M-60 gunner.

Terri Turner is the community volunteer coordinator with the Hilton Gardens in Pooler. This group of volunteers is active in both Effingham and Chatham counties. Several of the Hilton volunteers expressed how much they enjoyed working with a local veteran and her family.

Habitat for Humanity is looking for volunteers who are willing to give one or two to days to help families in their community. If you or your group would like to help and work with other Habitat projects, contact Groce at (912) 661-0733 or email george@habitatec.org.