Habitat for Humanity of St. Augustine/St. Johns County builds home for a Purple Heart Veteran

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — Today, Kristopher Barajas, a retired Naval Corpsman wounded in Iraq, is getting help from Habitat St. Augustine and Wells Fargo volunteers to place siding on his two-bedroom home in St. Augustine. Barajas served as a Fleet Marine Force corpsman stationed with a U.S. Marines division out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He was stationed in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom II. During a battle in Fallujah, he was struck by shrapnel.

The 38-year old Purple Heart recipient received $15,000 as part of a $7.75 million donation to Habitat for Humanity International through Wells Fargo Builds; a $1 billion philanthropic commitment to create “housing affordability solutions” by 2025. These solutions include the construction, renovation and repair of more than 350 affordable homes across America.

Working with over 20 volunteers from Habitat for Humanity and Wells Fargo Builds, the veteran expressed both his gratitude and humility.

“I am blessed, truly blessed” he said. “It’s really nice to see people come together and help out.”

Wells Fargo’s North Florida Corporate Communications Consultant Madiyah Holmes described the partnership between Habitat and Wells Fargo as an exciting opportunity to make sure that everyone has acccess to an affordable quality home.

“This is the spirit of our employees giving back to the community,” she said. “We work to see our members financially succeed within the communities that we all live in. We play a huge part in our customers’ lives. We connect to help them with every life cycle they go through.”

As the group worked in tandem, fun was the name of the game.

Marilyn Drayton a Senior Wells Fargo Vice President and volunteer described the predominately all female Wells Fargo Builds volunteer crew as a fellowship of unity and girl power. She added that she was thrilled to be a part of honoring Barajas for his service to American democracy.

“I’m filled with joy and pride to be a part of something bigger than myself,” she said.

Drayton explained that Wellls Fargo has worked with Habitat for Humanity for many years.

“We participate in these types of builds - in large and small markets - all across the country, " she continued. “Lots of relationships and friendships are built in these types of activities.”

Malinda Everson, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of St. Augustine/St. Johns County described the event as a domino affect of community engagement.

“A sense of community happens when the the neighborhood works side by side helping each other,’ she said.

Everson underscored the important role that Habitat for Humanity of St. Augustine/St. Johns County plays in the community.

“More and more families struggle to find affordable housing in St. Johns County, she said. “With rising inflation and cost for housing, many are facing homelessness and living in substandard conditions.”

Statistics from Northeast Florida Association of Realtors show that at least one in six Florida households spend over half of their income on housing. The price of homes and rentals continue to rise beyond the means of those considered workforce employees.

Habitat for Humanity of St. Augustine/St. Johns County - Habitat St. Augustine - is one of more than 230 Habitat for Humanity affiliates awarded a grant from the Wells Fargo Foundation as part of its nationwide initiative to create affordable homes across the U.S.

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