FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — You don’t have to ask Stacey Buckner twice. When she says it's all got to go, she means it.
It's not every day you get your hands on a donation of three tiny homes to remodel.
What You Need To Know
The tiny homes will host veterans up to 180 days
The project is expected to be finished in January
For info on how to contribute, head to the Off-Road Outreach website
“I was excited, I didn’t expect that it was going to be a lot of work, but what we have all these team members out here for," Buckner, the founder of Off-Road Outreach said.
The three homes were donated by the family of former Carrboro Mayor Robert Drakeford following his death this year.
It didn't take long for Buckner and her crew to go to work on these shelters.
These homes will serve as housing for veterans facing homelessness and recovery.
“We want to give them the nicest home possible. Teach them life skills, and get them back into a productive member of society," Buckner said. "These are going to be the bougiest 290 square feet thanks to our sponsors and everyone else supporting us. We’re going to make this great.”
For many service members that come home from the military and transition to civilian life, housing is one of the biggest concerns.
“You see a lot of these homeless people, and you walk up and you realize they’re veterans. It kind of punches you in the heart, because a lot of veterans feel like no one understands," All Veteran Parachute Team Founder Michael Elliot said. "No one gives them an opportunity, like we’re giving these veterans here with these transitional homes.
The daughter of a military veteran, Buckner has worked closely alongside veterans for a decade now.
To see her tiny dream become a reality is a special feeling.
“I see the sacrifice daily when I go to work," Buckner said. "That’s where it comes from and of course my father being a veteran as well. We’ve got to take care of those who have served.”
If she can keep even just a few veterans off the streets and inside a safe home then she says all this hard work is worth it.
“It means we’re doing something right, man, Buckner said. "It means that God has a purpose our organization, and we’re just glad that we can serve those who have served our country.”
Off-Road Outreach is an organization founded in Fayetteville to help provide veterans with opportunities for recovery, counseling and other essential services.
Buckner says the plan is to open these tiny homes to veterans in January, allowing each veteran to stay up to 180 days.