Back Bay Mission Completes Home for Local Veteran

Friday night, an Ocean Springs veteran is back in her home after being displaced for a year, thanks to Back Bay Mission. Melinda Gerhart is an Air Force veteran who was forced out of her home last year when it was condemned for living conditions.

After a year’s worth of work from Back Bay Mission, Gerhart received the keys and is happy to be home. Gerhart says, "It means that people are actually doing things for me and it’s actually wonderful. It’s emotional. I appreciate everything everyone’s done for me."

Back Bay Mission has been working hard since February to get Gerhart back home before the holiday season. When News 25 checked in on the progress back in July, Lowe’s and Valspar had contributed both materials and volunteers to the project.

Those volunteers were present Friday and say seeing the culmination of their effort makes it all worth it. Mike Pitts, Lowe’s Store Manager, says, "I’m excited to see her life change right before her eyes. From the pictures we saw of the way it looked before and she’s going to see it today for the first time. I think it’s going to be pretty impactful on her."

In tears over how grateful she is to those who’ve helped her, Back Bay Mission officials say recipients like Gerhart are the driving force behind what they do. Bob Brautigam, Back Bay Mission board member, says, "They’ve been inconvenienced by either storm damage or some other disaster and they really are tremendously appreciative of the help."

As for Gerhart, walking around her fixed up home for the first time is the first step to once again leading a normal life.