Madigan and Habitant both for Humanity

Story by: John Griffin, Community Relations Officer, Madigan Healthcare System

Photo by: John Griffin

Navy Lt. Sara Pope and Army 2nd Lt. Katherine Carroll carry window frames to install. Madigan Healthcare System team members took their helping hands into the community and joined Tacoma/Pierce Habitat for Humanity in constructing an affordable home for a low-income family in the Ainsworth subdivision.

Department of Family Medicine team members from Madigan Healthcare System took their helping hands into the local civilian community and spent the day building a house with the Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity. An affordable four-bedroom structure is closer to becoming a family home, due in part to the labor of twenty Madigan team members. Volunteers expressed their pleasure at being part of this project transforming a community. “I’m normally more comfortable with a stethoscope in my hands, but helping people can involve all kinds of activities,” said Capt. Bethany Teer. “This is a great experience and I’d recommend it to anybody wanting to make an impact.” “I jumped at this opportunity to help out JBLM’s surrounding community,” said Capt. Patrick O’Neal. “As a resident, to be able to go beyond the hospital walls to help people is always exciting.” The house is now one of 13 in Ainsworth Vista, a subdivision that was previously occupied by a single dilapidated foreclosed home. “It means a lot to have military members, who could live separated lives, come out and help us rehab our community,” said Hannah Feback, volunteer coordinator. “They’re protecting our freedom, and now their helping to provide a home and hope to a family.” Support for the project extended beyond the hammers and nails at the construction site. “We have a few folks that are wrapping up some duties at Madigan and will be out here later in the morning,” said Capt. James Winegarner. “We’re very lucky to have a supportive chain of command that encouraged us to come out into the community.” Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization that has built more than 500,000 houses for 2.5 million people worldwide through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials. In addition to a down payment and monthly mortgage payments, homeowners invest hundreds of hours of their own labor into building their Habitat house and the houses of others.