BURRILLVILLE – A home dedication for the two local veterans who built their own duplex at 57-59 Oakland School St. through Habitat For Humanity was held on Sunday.
Scott Glaude, 53, and David Collins, 61, both disabled veterans of the Army National Guard, spent over two years building their homes alongside Habitat Volunteers and officially moved into the duplex at the end of February, said Linda Plays, executive director of Habitat For Humanity of West Bay/Northern Rhode Island.
“Today we don’t just celebrate a home, we celebrate hope, community and stability,” Plays said at the dedication ceremony. “This project reflects the current and future needs of Scott and David.”
The veterans spent every Saturday during construction working on their home and earning the 300 hours of “sweat equity” required by Habitat for Humanity. Glaude more than doubled his hours, even bringing his nephew along to help out, and said he misses working on the duplex.
“I miss coming here on Saturdays and hanging with the guys. I’m going to help on the next house,” he said. “I love to pay it forward.”
Glaude and his wife Angela said they are pleased with their new space, which was created to accommodate both veterans’ disabilities. They are especially enjoying the back deck, where Glaude created a special spot for a used grill that he was gifted, he said.
“Its’s so quiet here, compared to the city. It’s peaceful. It’s ours,” he said.
Collins also moved from a city setting and said he was enjoying the peaceful atmosphere of country living.
“It’s so nice. I lived in an apartment complex for twelve years and they kept up the property, but it was so bad with drugs. I used to just stay in my apartment all the time,” he said.
His favorite aspect of his new duplex is the radiant floor heat that as a licensed engineer in Rhode Island he helped to install, but coming in a close second is the washer and dryer in his unit, he said.
“Oh the washer and dryer is so convenient, because I couldn’t go up and down the stairs to do my laundry in my old apartment,” he said. “And the walk-in shower is great. I fell so many times in my old apartment trying to get in and out of the tub because of the degeneration in my discs.”
Rhode Island Director of Veterans Affairs Kasim Yarn became emotional as he addressed the homeowners, Habitat employees, volunteers, donors and Burrillville police officers gathered at the ceremony.
“It’s about family. Our veterans sacrificed all for us. This is not a house, it’s a home. And what good is a home without community,” he said. “To the town of Burrillville, you continue to impress me.”
Plays pledged that Habitat For Humanity will continue their work to benefit others like Glaude and Collins.
“To our sponsors, your generosity built this home,” she said. “With your help, we will continue building houses and creating homes.”
