Dozens of volunteers spent a Wednesday morning wielding rakes, paint rollers and drills at the Pensacola Veterans Village, giving the transitional housing facility a makeover just ahead of Veterans Day — and then delivering a financial surprise that will carry its residents into the holiday season.
The volunteer day brought together crews from the Home Depot Foundation and Volunteers of America Florida, the organization that operates the village, which has provided housing and support to hundreds of veterans in need since opening its doors in 2012. The facility is currently home to 30 veterans.
Teams landscaped the property, repaired fencing, assembled furniture and installed two new flag poles. The centerpiece of the effort is a new gazebo, which program manager Roger Coleman said will give residents a place to gather outdoors.
“Our staff is limited, so for them to come out — our veterans appreciate it,” Coleman said. “They’re putting up a gazebo where they can come out and congregate. They can have their time together and barbecue or picnic.”
A surprise beyond the landscaping
When the work was done, store manager Brian Clifford revealed that the Home Depot Foundation’s help would extend well past the workday. Through what organizers call “Operation Surprise,” the foundation is paying December rent for every veteran living at the Pensacola facility.
The generosity doesn’t stop at the state line: the foundation is also covering December rent for veterans at Volunteers of America’s Eagles Landing facility in Mobile, extending the gesture to residents on the Alabama side of the Gulf Coast.
More than a roof
Residents say the village offers more than shelter. Army veteran Alvin Brown, who lives at the facility, credited its programs with helping him rebuild his independence.
“Here at the Veterans Village, they have different programs to help you get back on your feet, and helping me with my disability plan,” Brown said. “After that, we go into the next step of moving into housing for the veterans around here.”