Christy Gardner, a double-amputee Army veteran, is not allowed inside the house that is being built for her until the keys are turned over to her on Saturday, June 19. "From this point on, it will be a surprise," said Sharon Holland of "A Soldiers Journey Home," one of two organizations making the build possible.
Volunteers from 14 states stop building for the Pledge of Allegiance Friday in Oxford. Two organizations, Tunnels to Towers and A Soldier's Journey Home, teamed up to provide Maine disabled veteran Christy Gardner with a mortgage-free home. Volunteers started building on June 4 and will hand the keys over to Gardner on June 19.
Volunteer Robin Osborne of Columbus, Ohio, strips copper from scrap electrical wire Friday in Oxford. Osborne said the copper will be sold to raise money for Christy Gardner's nonprofit organization, Mission Working Dogs. Returnable bottles and cans were turned in Thursday to raise $151 for Mission Working Dogs, a program that trains dogs to be service animals. The scrap wire and bottles are from the work site.
Retired New York City firefighter Anthony Cairo pets Doug, Christy Gardner's service dog. Gardner, a double-amputee Army veteran, raises and trains dogs to be service animals through her nonprofit organization, Mission Working Dogs.
Georgia firefighter Chris Ganther, left, and Dylan Williamson, a carpenter from Michigan, help build a home for veteran Christy Gardner Friday in Oxford. Gardner has seen the outside but will not be allowed inside to see the details until Saturday, June 19.
Volunteers build a home for veteran Christy Gardner Friday in Oxford. Gardner has seen the outside but will not be allowed inside to see the details until Saturday, June 19.
United States Army veteran Christy Gardner, third from left, talks Friday with volunteers who are helping build Gardner a new house in Oxford. Gardner is a double amputee.
Baltimore firefighter Rebecca Richardson arrived early to let neighbors know that many volunteers would be passing by during the two-week building period. Richardson is serving as the medical and safety officer during the project.
Christy Gardner with her two service dogs, retired Moxie, 13 (far left) and active Doug 21 months (far right), and two dogs in training, Black Lab Independence, 12 weeks, and Libby, 10 month old Golden Retriever.
Six current and retired firefighters from Framingham and Ashland, Massachusetts, spent their own vacation time to help build a new home for Army veteran Christy Gardner.
Service dog Doug multi-tasks, paying close attention to his person Christy Gardner, while providing comfort to puppy in training, Independence.
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