Sailors help remodel home for special-needs children

The Page-Bailie Residence, a small three bedroom, two bath home that houses nine special needs children and two adults, was remodeled by Builders Care with the help of hundreds of volunteers from the Navy, Jacksonville-based companies, civic groups and churches.

Don Wilford, president of ICI Homes, was excited at the prospect of helping unprivileged children and working with Navy volunteers. "When Builder Care President Bill Wilson asked me come on board for this project, I jumped at the chance," Wilford explained. "We did 75 days worth of work in less than two weeks and it wouldn't have been possible without the Navy. They have been extremely valuable to Builders Care. Anytime we'd fall off schedule, we could always count on our Sailors to bring us back."

USS John F. Kennedy Sailor AN Michael Brooks and HSL-40 Sailor AW1 Spencer Wait move a fish tank out of the Page-Bailie home.

The project plans called for the renovation and expansion of the home by more than 1,500 square feet and increasing the number of bedrooms from three to six. Tens of thousands of dollars worth of building materials were donated toward the completion of the project. However, the most significant donations were that of the thousands of hours of work donated by hundreds of volunteers. Several of those volunteers came from commands such as NAS Jacksonville, VP-30, USS John F. Kennedy and VR-58.

USS John F. Kennedy Sailor ABE2 Fernando Fernandez said that he decided to volunteer because he enjoys doing meaningful work. "I like working with my hands and doing work that goes toward a good cause." Sailors worked on several aspects of the project including moving furniture, mass demolition, painting, siding installation and much more. VP-30 Sailor AM2(AW) Gilda Ramirez was happy to have the opportunity to work on the project. "When I saw the e-mail from the USO about this project, I thought it would be a great opportunity," Ramirez said. "I love volunteering and working with great people."

Also on hand though out the duration of the project was the Builders Care television show crew. Two cameramen and a producer were there to document the work for Builders Care's monthly television show.

ICI Homes President Don Wilford (center, blue shirt) talks to the Sailors about what needs to be done while a Builders Care Television Show cameraman gets it all on tape.

Builders Care is a nonprofit division of the Northeast Florida Builders Association established to reduce substandard housing by providing repair to seriously deteriorated homes belonging to the low income, elderly and disabled. They specialize in making homes handicapped-accessible, repairing roofs, siding and leaks, painting, making general repairs and installing heating and air conditioning.

The inspiration behind this particular project came in the form of a Navy wife. Melisa Page-Bailie was living in Pensacola with her Navy-pilot husband 16 years ago when she decided to become a volunteer with the Department of Children and Families.

"Volunteering provided an opportunity to assist children in care in many ways, including providing transportation and other support," Bailie stated. "I find it rewarding to work closely with staff, foster parents and community partners."

She quickly became a licensed foster parent in 1990 and today lives in Jacksonville providing care to children of all ages and with many diverse needs. Bailie now has nine children.

Sailors hard at work moving everything out of the Page-Bailie home.

"All I wanted to do was make a difference in the lives of children, and they are wonderful children and I am so blessed to be able to parent," she added.

The ultimate goal of Builders Care is to lessen substandard housing belonging to those who have no other way of repairing their homes. They have repaired more than 500 houses since 2001, but the work of Builders Care has just begun.

There are an estimated 45,000 substandard houses in Northeast Florida in desperate need of repair. Builders Care Director of Operations Rev. Chris Simons said that they eager for more Navy volunteers. "We always look forward to working with our Navy volunteers," Simons stated. "They always come out with a great attitude and work extremely hard." For information on Builders Care, call 727-3443.