Volunteers help remodel military veterans' Detroit home

Remodeling is part of nationwide Home Depot effort to help veterans

DETROIT – More than 50 volunteers swarmed in and around the house of a young Detroit couple as part of a nationwide effort to help veterans with their housing needs.

Volunteers -- 9,000 of them -- from Home Depot are remodeling 350 homes, including one owned by Marla and Blair Mitchell.

"I fell to my knees and I thanked God. It was so amazing and I did not expect it," said Marla Mitchell.

She is with the Michigan National Guard and served in Afghanistan. Blair is a Marine veteran.

"Once I saw Home Depot out here taking measurements, it was like wow, this is really happening," he said.

The Mitchells have two small children. They were selected for the project by members of a Detroit VFW post. Their hall at Seven Mile and Mound was also repaired by the Home Depot volunteers.

"To know our veterans -- making a fresh start when they come out -- it means the world to us," said The Home Depot's Marc Green, who served eight years in the Air Force.

The volunteers replaced flooring throughout the home, remodeled the kitchen, painted, landscaped, and added rooms in the basement.

Marla Mitchell says she can finally envision hosting holiday gatherings in her home.

"I just want to thank everybody from the bottom of my heart. I can't thank you enough. It's been such a huge blessing and a burden lifted."