The non-profit organization Rebuilding Together — St. Louis has been around for 20 years to repair homes, revitalize communities, and to help rebuild lives.

Part of the nationwide Rebuilding Together organizations, the St. Louis‘ division started in 1992. On their first “Rebuilding Day,” Rebuilding Together — St. Louis with 105 volunteers, renovated five homes. In its 20-year history, it has assisted 3,500 homeowners, completed 52 community projects, and restored 489 homes across St. Louis County in over 50 neighborhoods.

That community spirit and care is enough for a Feel-Good Friday feature. But in the past week, Rebuilding Together — St. Louis, through a partnership with The Home Depot Foundation, brought the gift of renovations to the Veteran community in St. Louis.

From News Nation:

Veterans in St. Louis recently received free home repairs from a group of volunteers, who say it’s their way of saying “thank you” to those who served the country.

The Home Depot Foundation, which invests millions into veteran causes, and Rebuilding Together‘s St. Louis chapter, which helps repair homes for people in need, teamed up on the project, according to NewsNation local affiliate KTVI. On Friday, they repaired veteran Kenneth Young’s home, putting down new floors and painting walls.

“It literally is the most fulfilling day of my career,” said Home Depot employee Chris Wendling. “Not only is it fun, you’re giving back, and you’re giving somebody something that maybe they couldn’t have done on their own or didn’t have the means to do it.”

The organization has this philosophy regarding assisting neighbors with their home repairs and renovations:

“A neighborhood is so much more than houses and streets. A neighborhood is people. Across St. Louis, age, disability and a lack of resources can erode communities as houses fall into disrepair and force our neighbors out of the places they call home.”

Kenneth Young received a gift of more time in a home that is safe, sound, and up to code, and more opportunity to deepen roots and contribute to his community.

Repairs consisted of work inside and outside the home, KTVI reported.

Elain Powers, of Rebuilding Together St. Louis, said there was yardwork and cleanup involved, and they also worked on railings for the home front steps.

“They’ve got to be angels, sacrificing their time and effort,” Young said.

As I wrote in last week’s Feel-Good Friday, those who gave all of their time, talent, and treasure serving our country deserve the highest honors. Rebuilding Together — St. Louis’ work of home restoration and repair is just one of the many ways to show our Veterans that we appreciate their sacrifice and that we need them in the fabric of our communities.