Volunteers needed to finish renovations for veterans' home

The inside of a house in Cape Girardeau will be stripped to the studs this weekend as the Student Veterans Organization at Southeast Missouri State University transforms the home into a place where veterans can stay as they transition from the military to college life.

The house, at 323 N. Fountain St., was donated to the organization by an anonymous local veteran. While the home is structurally sound, it was built in 1912 and needs renovations before it can house students.

Some volunteers have spent dozens of hours during the past few months ripping out flooring, cabinets and appliances, and crews recently completed some needed landscaping work. But the outdated plumbing and electrical systems in the home need to be repaired and brought up to code.

Rocky Everett, a member of the Student Veterans Organization, is leading the construction project from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Saturday. About 10 volunteers have committed so far, he said, but more are needed and can arrive Saturday morning without registering.

Lunch will be provided, and volunteers need to wear work clothes and boots. Lowe's Home Improvement store donated hammers, crowbars and dust masks, Everett said, but those who have hammers are encouraged to bring them.

A remodeling log rests on a table April 10 at a home donated for veterans to live in while attending Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau. (Glenn Landberg)

When the home is completed, six veterans will be able to stay at the house, with four bedrooms on the second floor and a third-level area that will have two dorm-style rooms. But the student organization lacks needed donations, its president said.

Jared Bush-Howe became president of the group about a year and a half ago and said the not-for-profit organization has collected about $2,500 so far.

A majority of the donations was made within the first week or two, he said, but since have come to a halt. Most of the money was donated by area veterans.

The organization also created a fundraising website two months ago, gofundme.com/svohouse, and has raised $870 of its $10,000 goal. But Bush-Howe estimates the cost of finishing the home likely will be about $25,000.

"Donations have been pretty tough on us," he said, adding the organization also lacks volunteers for the project. "We'd love to have anybody that has experience or even no experience, because some of this is just general labor stuff, like the demolition they're doing this weekend."

The student organization works with veterans, active military members, those in the reserves and their families to provide moral support and guidance. Its motto: Together then. Together now.

Bush-Howe served in the Army for five years, including a tour in Iraq from 2005 to 2006. He said many veterans quit college -- not because they can't do it, but because college lacks the structure of the military.

Everett served in the Army from 2001 to 2005.

"I've been in several combat zones, so I know how hard it is to cope with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)," he said. "And I know how hard it is to transition. It's a struggle."

Volunteering or making a donation to help complete the house, Bush-Howe said, is a way for the community to help local veterans.

"It's not donating to some huge charity, where you'll never know where your money went," he said. "It's going directly to this cause. Veterans need a little help, and that's what this is about."

klamb@semissourian.com

388-3639

Pertinent address:

323 N. Fountain St.