H.B. Neild Construction team members joined Nehemiah’s Vision to support an elderly homeowner struggling with a dilapidated home in Beaumont.
The full-scale effort was part of the United Way of Beaumont and North Jefferson County’s Day of Caring.
Ten volunteers from H.B. Neild Construction joined nearly 400 others March 28 from across Southeast Texas to deliver tangible, boots-on-the-ground results.
The H.B. Neild effort benefited a resident on Harrison Avenue. The woman has lived in her family home since she was a child. However, it has fallen into disrepair during the past decade.
United Way-partner agency Nehemiah’s Vision, along with Beaumont’s CDBG program, is spearheading the charge to solidify the structure’s integrity and function through upgrades from cabinets to roofing.
Volunteers with H.B. Neild cleared years of possessions from the home and helped clean and organize the living area so a family’s lifetime worth of furniture and keepsakes could be properly utilized and preserved.
Executive Vice President Annie L. Neild Howell said the United Way creates connections with partner agencies delivering strong impacts across the city.
She said H.B. Neild’s participation is a small part in helping the community thrive, which is a standard for the company, following the lead of Chairman Thomas Neild Sr., who helped launch Nehemiah’s Vision in the wake of the devasting impacts of Hurricane Katrina.
Nehemiah’s Vision has since helped restore and rebuild thousands of homes. In 2023 Nehemiah’s Vision changed its Mission Statement to include “unnatural disasters” impacting someone’s home.
“They do so much good in our community,” Howell said. “They team up with churches, other organizations and different business partners in the community that give back to repair these homes for local citizens and ensure they have a safe place to live.”
United Way President and CEO Karyn Husbands stressed to all of the day’s volunteers that every job and service provided is valuable.
“You are providing impact to that agency that they likely cannot afford to do on their own,” she said in kicking off the fun. “Your time spent, whether it is interior painting, book labeling for a literacy project or landscaping, is an important part of this community. We have the privilege to go out and do great work. You will leave feeling so fulfilled, as will the agency where you are spending your time.”
Beaumont Mayor Roy West said the massive turnout is what a caring and loving community is all about.
He credited United Way for doing an “incredible job” vetting and assisting many 501c3 organizations that are instrumental in the day-to-day lives of people in the community, adding they address challenges that government alone can’t face.
“I am personally grateful for every one of you taking your time away from work, being here and giving back to the community,” he said. “What you do here matters and what you do every day out in the community matters.”
Volunteer co-organizer Josh Williams of Exxon said it is his privilege to see the tireless work United Way contributes daily.
“I guarantee that Beaumont is a stronger community for the work that y’all do,” he said before addressing the volunteers. “Be proud that your company gives you the time to come to events like this, to support the community that you live in.”