Making a Difference

  • Published
  • By Tech Sgt. Amie Muller
  • 148th Public Affairs
DULUTH, Minn --  On Oct. 4, 2014, on a cool, fall Saturday, members of the 148th Fighter Wing volunteered to help Habitat for Humanity build a storage shed and excavate for a sidewalk for a local family. 

This marks the third year in a row that 148th Fighter Wing member Tech. Sgt. Ryan Ostrofsky coordinated volunteer efforts between the 148th and Habitat for Humanity.  Ostrofsky, owner of the local company Rymel Construction, often partners with and donates his construction equipment for use in Habitat for Humanity renovations.

Habitat for Humanity is a service group aimed at offering low-cost homes for families in need.   148th Airmen strove to embody both Habitat for Humanity's motto of "Neighbors Helping Neighbors" and the Minnesota National Guard's goal of meeting community demands through service.

The Habitat for Humanity organization has several volunteer opportunities and 100 percent of the proceeds of a restoration are given back to the organization to help fund local community renovation projects for families in need.  This undertaking is part of an effort to meet the 148th's annual goal of 4,500 hours of volunteer service by wing members.  148th Fighter Wing Command Chief Master Sgt. Mark Rukavina noted that the Habitat for Humanity project is an "opportunity to give back to the community."