VALDOSTA, GA (WALB) -
A community comes together to make a south Georgia veteran's dying wish come true.
Jack Mester died over the weekend after a long battle with cancer. We introduced you to him recently when he told us how badly he wanted his home repaired so his wife and daughter would have a decent place to live.
That's happening now.
From yard work to re-roofing, volunteers from Moody Air Force and veteran support groups came out today to repair the Mester's neglected home.
"It's no thanks required for us, it's just knowing that we did something we could, you know what we could do. It may just be a little trimming the grass, pulling the bushes, cutting some things down, but if it makes someone's day better, we're glad to do it," said Daniel Fowler, Moody Air Force Master Sergeant.
Jack Mester lost his six year battle with cancer Saturday. His sickness kept him from properly caring for his home. His wife says the help from the community has made all the difference.
"All of these people are giving us that strength to carry on," said Dawn Mester.
But there's a lot of work to do. Volunteers will replace the leaking roof, put in new linoleum flooring, install an air conditioning unit, and replace electrical and plumbing connections.
Volunteers are also working on the outside of the home. They are pressure cleaning the panels and replacing the skirting.
Tim Oliver with Valdosta Veterans First says without donations it would have been hard to get this project started.
"The donations are trickling in, it's not a whole lot but we wouldn't of had the money for it at the moment," said Oliver.
Jack Mester Jr. says he had no clue the community would be so helpful.
"I would have never thought, people coming together, taking time out of their day to come out and help and do what is necessary," said Mester Jr.
Fowler says helping the Mester's is part of being a serviceman.
"It's part of helping your community, this is our family down here, Lowndes County, Valdosta, Lake Park, and all these surrounding towns, they've adopted us," said Fowler.
The Mester's expect to move back into their home within the next month.
Jack Mester's funeral is Thursday at 2 p.m. at Jennings Missionary Baptist Church in Jennings, Florida. If you would like to make a donation to the family, please contact Tim Oliver with Valdosta Veterans First at 229-561-5251.
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