Lending a Hand

nity to give his construction students real-world experience and help someone in need at the same time.

The combination of the students working alongside building professionals using donated materials “is like a three-legged stool. It’s borderline perfect,” Ellis says.

The high school students are contributing valuable labor, gaining experience and also making professional connections with the builders who are contributing their time to the project, Ellis says.

“Hopefully we get jobs out of this for our students,” he says.

Ellis added that having the students working at the site helps him recruit professionals to donate their time, since companies are on the lookout for new hires with construction workers in high demand.

West-MEC construction student Chris Lopez, of Peoria, was working on a plumbing project inside the home.

“It feels nice,” he says. “It’s rewarding to feel like you’re helping. It gives you the opportunity to work in your community.”

Turney said that having the construction students step up and be involved has en-

A home in Glendale where Operation Enduring Gratitude is currently performing renovations, Thursday, February 17, in Glendale. (Photo by David Minton)

hanced the project for everybody.

“We had one young lady who didn’t know anything about plumbing,” he says, “and now she’s our plumber.”

Turney said the aim is to have one professional working with each group of volunteers on a particular project inside the home.

One of the contractors working with Lopez and the other West-MEC students was Marcus White, owner of Veteran Advisors, who was restructuring the walls of the home.

White, an 18-year Navy veteran, says his business is veteran focused, hiring veterans and offering discounted work to veterans, in addition to donating time to projects like the home renovation.

White says he was motivated to help after seeing a need for veteran services when he retired from the military. He says he is particularly passionate about helping homeless veterans, because he knows people who fell into homeless after their service and “died on the streets.”

As a contractor, his skills can help keep veterans in their homes by helping on projects such as making houses ADA rated for disabled vets.

“I do this because I enjoy helping my community,” he says. “There wasn’t that structure and set up (for veterans) when I got out.”

Turney and Ellis says Operation Enduring Gratitude and current home renovation pulled together a lot of different people from the community, including many businesses that have donated supplies and numerous trades, from tree trimmers to electricians, donating their time.

As the West-MEC students were getting ready to enjoy hard-earned pizza after the day’s work, Jason, a technician from America’s Pride Air, which donated an air conditioner, arrived to check on some previous installation work.

“It just feels good,” he says. “It feels great to help someone out.”

Turney said that with the help of its partners, Operation Enduring Gratitude has made a “night and day” difference in the home.

“This is going to be her forever home,” he says. “We want her to have a good solid home.”

Clinic Opens

Luke Air Force Base is among three bases that will welcome The Joint Chiropractic to provide chiropractic adjustments to the military community. (Photo courtesy of The Joint Chiropractic)

The Joint Chiropractic brings care to the military

BY SOUND OF FREEDOM STAFF

As part of its an agreement with the Army & Air Force Exchange Service to provide on-installation chiropractic care to members of the military and their families, The Joint Chiropractic opened its Luke Air Force Base location.

The new clinic is located at 14185 Falcon Street between the Alterations shop and Military Clothing in the Base Exchange building.

New military patients receive their initial visit for $19, which includes the consultation, exam and adjustment. Th e Joint is known for its convenient retail setting and concierge-style services. For patients that means no appointments, no insurance hassles, aff ordable chiropractic care and accommodating hours of operations, including evenings and weekends.

In addition to serving those directly on base, Th e Joint Chiropractic honors members of the military in Arizona, and nationwide, through its Military Appreciation Program. Th e year-round program off ers active and retired military personnel, National Guard and veterans, as well as their immediate families, an initial visit for only $19, which includes the consultation, exam and adjustment. Th e program also reduces pricing by $10 for a monthly wellness plan or chiropractic care package. Th ere are 36 Th e Joint locations across the Phoenix metropolitan area that off er the Military Appreciation Program.

Millions of Americans have found relief from pain due to the benefi ts of chiropractic’s natural, drug-free approach to health care.

Everyone, from enlisted to offi cer to retired and their families, can improve their quality of life through routine chiropractic care. Th e Joint’s purpose is to alleviate pain and help move patients toward a healthier lifestyle, including those seeking relief from neck and back pain, stress and tension disorders and improved posture or joint motion and coordination and migraines.