Heavy rain did not dampen the enthusiasm at the ground breaking for what has become known as the Chief’s Challenge. More than 80 chief petty officers from Pax River are partnering with Patuxent Habitat for Humanity to build two houses on Milton Lane in Patuxent Park.
One of the partner families who will help build their new home is the Tippets (Joe and Julie and their three children Robert, Jesse and Miranda). They huddled in one of Patuxent Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore vans while others, including many of the chief petty officers who will participate in the project, gathered under several tents and then participated in the ceremonial groundbreaking.
Habitat President Dan Doherty said the building permits should be in hand this week so that construction can begin. He thanked the many partner businesses who helped with the project. He said regarding getting donations and help because of the economy, “Quite frankly it has gotten more difficult. Now we get more hands involved and get more gifts in kind.”
The project was the brainchild of the base’s Master Chief Mark Cummins, who was looking for a volunteer project and discussed the idea with Patuxent Habitat Executive Director Don Parsons. The home about to be constructed will be Patuxent Habitat’s 14th and the eighth in St. Mary’s County. The group also operates in Calvert County
