Rebuilding Together Warner Robins creates a safer home for retired aircraft painter

WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — Rebuilding Together Warner Robins recently rebuilt a home for a retired Robins Air Force Base employee.

Michael Habecker worked at Robins Air Force Base as an aircraft painter. He was in an accident that left him with back and arm injuries. After a year he was medically retired from the base and applied for total disability.

A few years after his accident, he developed Supra Nuclear Palsy, which left him with balance issues and loss of use of his right arm. According to President of RTWR Jerome Stephens, he had severe balance issues and difficulties entering and leaving his home and bathroom falls which resulted in additional injuries on his right hand and arm.

That is when his brother, Marty Habecker, contacted RTWR and the process of creating a safer home began.

The renovations began on June 24, 2023, and it included adding a handicap-accessible deck and ramp which, according to Stephens, consisted of 12 volunteers. They also added a handicap-accessible shower and a safe tub for Habecker to avoid additional injuries.

Stephens said House Captain Micheal O’Brien brought many volunteers and organizations to help rebuild the home. The volunteers included the Catholic Men of Our Lady of the Skies Parish on the Air Force Base, the Knights of Columbus Councils at St. Patrick and Sacred Heart Parish, Veteran of Foreign Wars post 6126 and Marine Corps League Detachment 1373.

The organizations helped raise approximately over $5,000 and RTWR worked with Lowes who gave them 25 percent discount on materials.

“All of them were very good. Smooth transition, they redid his bathroom all together and then on to that they build that ramp. It was smooth, everything was fine and fantastic,” said Stephens.

The Habecker project was completed back on Oct. 10. According to Stephens, the project accumulated 845-man hours from the community.

However, their work is not done. Now, they are trying to improve Michael Habecker’s driveway for easier accessibility for him and his wife. They are currently looking for a contractor for the improvements.

Marty Habecker and Stephens both served in the United States Marine Corps and are both heavily involved the organization.

Stephens and Marty started out as volunteers in the organization since it started in 1996 and Stephens worked his way up to now being president.

He said he feels great joy whenever he sees a project fully completed.

“That we made someone’s home safer, more accessible especially when they are handicapped. It makes your life easier and I’m sure his wife is very appreciative of it all because it makes your life easier. She doesn’t have to struggle to put him in the bathtub, he can just roll right into the bathtub, take a shower and get right out,” said Stephens.

He shared that Michael O’Brien was also happy to see the renovations and has also worked as a volunteer for 20 years.

“Every project that he touches, he does a fantastic job with it,” Stephens said.

He also shared that O’Brien not only gives his time towards the organizations, but he also donates money to continue helping other people in the community. Stephens said that whenever they have fundraisers, O’Brien supports them 100%.

Stephens also said that as someone who has been involved in the organization since it started, he enjoys meeting the people he meets along the way.

“That’s what Rebuilding Together does, it gives you a safe environment to make sure your home is safe, warm and dry,” Stephens said.

He shares that he hopes that they leave a person with a safer home, and they can move freely without any obstacles.

“Their lives are better. We empower them to do better in their home and to live better in their home. It’s a great joy; that’s why I’m still doing it,” Stephens said.

To find out more information about Rebuilding Together Warner Robins or to contact the organization visit https://rebuildingtogetherwr.org/.

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