Dyess We Care Team
About Dyess We Care Team
Dyess We Care Team shows up with brushes, rollers, and the kind of hands-on help that matters when a home needs painting or a few small repairs. It serves elderly, disabled, and other people in need, while giving Airmen a place to practice leadership, mentorship, resiliency, and camaraderie through real service. If you want to support work that is practical, local, and clearly rooted in the Dyess AFB community, this is it.
What sets Dyess We Care Team apart is that the service is not just about the house, it is also about the people doing the work. Active-duty members, civilians, retirees, and families all take part, and the projects give Airmen a structured way to grow while helping neighbors.
Programs
The concrete work this nonprofit runs. Each program may later become a fundable project.
Home painting and minor repairs
Provides free labor for short-term house painting projects and associated minor repairs for homeowners in need.
Home accessibility and exterior improvements
May replace dry-rotted boards, change exterior lighting, affix new house numbers, and install handicapped ramps when the work fits the team’s scope.
Community service projects for nonprofit partners
Assists other nonprofit agencies with service projects and site makeovers, including organizations such as Hope Haven, Hendrick Home for Children, Ben Richey Boy’s Ranch, Abilene State Assisted Living, Salvation Army, and United Way.
Holiday gift wrapping and delivery
Partners with Friends For Life to wrap Christmas gifts for elderly and disabled community members and deliver them to facilities across the city.
Fundraising events
Uses events such as car washes to raise money for project materials and holiday support.
About this work
In their own words — what they do, who it reaches, and what your dollars actually fund.
Mission
Airmen use brushes and rollers to paint homes and offer minor project-related repairs to support the elderly, disabled, and others in need, while building leadership, mentorship, resiliency, and camaraderie through community service.
Who they serve
Elderly, disabled, and other people in need of minor home repairs, plus veterans, homeowners, and selected nonprofit partners in the Abilene and Dyess AFB community.
Their impact
- Over 500 volunteers and nearly 6,000 hours were used over 14 weekends to create the Centennial Park Playground.
- The Centennial Park Playground was described as the only 100% wheelchair accessible playground in a 250-mile radius.
- The team averages 35 to 45 projects a year.
- The team contributes over 4,500 volunteer hours valued at approximately $113,000 in labor alone.
- The 2024 All American Car Wash raised $10,100.
- A Project Graduation car wash raised more than $1,000.
How your donation helps
- Paint supplies and materials for house painting and minor repairs
- Materials for home accessibility and exterior improvement projects
- Project costs covered through community sponsors and donations
- Christmas gifts for veterans, elderly people, and disabled adults
Our story
Dyess We Care Team started with a phone call from a staff sergeant at the 7th Bomb Wing’s Military Equal Opportunity Office, who wanted to use community service to strengthen camaraderie, teamwork, mentoring, self-worth, confidence, and leadership. The first project took place on July 28, 2000, in Ballinger, Texas, where more than 30 volunteers helped refurbish an old school into the Vista/Hope project, a center for adult literacy and job placement. From there, the organization grew through projects for the Abilene community and other nonprofit partners.
Need help?
How someone in need can access Dyess We Care Team’s services.
Homeowners needing painting or minor home repairs can submit a request through the Request WCT Assistance button. The team reviews requests for short-term projects it can complete, and a representative contacts recipients when a project is being considered. Projects outside the team’s scope, including major repairs, are not handled by the program, and 211 is suggested for other resources.
Stories
The people behind the work.
In their words
"It already is in my view, the preeminent number one service organization to ever have come out of the United States Air Force."
"The Dyess We Care Team builds selfless leaders. Leaders that put other people and other things before themselves."
"It’s not about the number of houses they paint, but the leaders they help create!"
Events
Annual awards banquet
annualA yearly event that recognizes and thanks volunteers for their service.
Operation Special Santa Car Wash
annualAn annual car wash fundraiser used to bring Christmas to veterans and disabled adults.
All American Car Wash
annualA car wash fundraiser that supports the organization’s charitable work.
House painting projects
recurringRecurring home painting and minor repair projects, usually scheduled for two to three Saturdays or on one-day project weekends.
Ways to help
Concrete needs and volunteer roles Dyess We Care Team has shared.
Current needs
- Paint supplies and project materials
- Sponsors and donations to cover home repair materials
Volunteer opportunities
- Paint homes on service Saturdays
- Help with minor home repairs
- Serve as a team leader on a project
- Assist with holiday gift wrapping and delivery
Recognition & press
Awards & recognition
- 2024 CNN Heroes top ten finalist
- All on DEC award in the Veteran Contribution division for work with the Abilene State Supported Living Center
- Governor’s and Presidential Community Motivator Volunteer Award from Texas Governor Rick Perry
- Recognition as the best volunteer program in the USAF by Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Murray
In the media
- CNN Heroes, top ten finalist feature on Gordon Storey and the Dyess We Care Team
Partners & funders
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this nonprofit and how its work happens.
What kinds of projects does Dyess We Care Team take on?
It focuses on house painting and the kinds of minor repairs that can usually be finished in a short timeframe.
Who can request assistance?
Homeowners who need painting or minor home repairs can submit a request for review.
What repairs are outside the team’s scope?
Major repairs, roofing, foundation work, specialized electrical or plumbing work, windows, fencing, lawn care, packing and moving, HVAC maintenance, and automotive repairs are outside the team’s scope.
How are projects scheduled?
Requests are reviewed for possible scheduling, and the team may contact a recipient only when a project is being strongly considered.
What if someone needs help that the team cannot provide?
If a request falls outside the team’s scope, they suggest contacting 211 for additional resources.
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