Friday marked a milestone for the Veterans Community Project Veterans Village. It was the first time staff saw a physical start to a project, years in the making but they couldn’t have gotten there without a bit of help.
The VCP Village is located on a 2-acre parcel of land just off Nelson Road in Longmont. The small piece of property was donated by HMS Development. The project will include 26 tiny houses and a 3,000 sq ft community center. The tiny homes will be occupied by veterans who need assistance as they get back on their feet.
On Friday, VCP was finally ready to begin building frames for the tiny houses and more than 30 volunteers from Xcel Energy stepped in to help.
Kynnie Martin served in the Army from 2002-2007 as a military intelligence officer. She now works for Xcel Energy as an account manager and the lead for the company’s military veteran employee group.
Each year for the past 12 years, Xcel has committed to a Day of Service as a way to recognize and remember the events of Sept. 11, Martin said.
This year more than 1,500 employees, family and friends dedicated their time to over 60 projects including constructing tiny homes, working in food banks and landscaping maintenance.
Volunteers built frames that will be erected after the concrete pads are poured, said Miguel Valdez, VCP community engagement coordinator.
“Especially for veterans, knowing we are going to be helping to house a fellow brother or sister in arms, who may be struggling, who maybe has some barriers … knowing that we will be able to help some veterans right here in our Colorado backyard means the most to us,” Martin said.
“We have a really motivated group with Xcel out here helping us today,” said Jordon Daniel, VCP construction and organizational manager.
Daniel said he was excited to get help from Xcel because, without them, the project would take much longer and cost much more.
“That organizational support, that really is our only limiting factor when it comes to getting this village completed in record time,” Daniel said. “I would definitely encourage people to come out and put in a hard day’s work and it is going for a truly worthy cause.”
VCP is looking for more volunteers to build the Veterans Village. Businesses, as well as individuals, are welcome to volunteer.
