Mother’s Day gift: Dyess Airmen renovate an Abilene’s mother home

ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – During this Mother’s Day weekend, the Dyess We Care Team, consisting of nearly 40 airmen from Dyess Air Force Base’s Airman Leadership School, gave Twanna Neal the ultimate gift by completely transforming her home.

The event was held on Saturday, May 10, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 118 Green Street. This one-day renovation included minor repairs and fresh paint for Neal.

“This house is very sentimental to me, my sister lived in this house. She raised foster children in this home. Her and I both took care of my mother in this home, as a matter of fact, my mother passed away in this home. My sister did as well. She also helped me raise my boys in this home. Because for a long time, I struggled with substance issues. But by the grace of God, I’ve been seeking sobriety for 15 years. So this home holds a lot of value and a lot of sentiment to me. And I want to thank God first and foremost for this opportunity,” said Neal.

Neal called the visit a special Mother’s Day gift, expressing heartfelt gratitude to the team who followed through on a promise made a year ago after she joined the program at age 60.

“What a Mother’s Day gift! For these guys to come out — I had a friend, Thomas Holland, that when I turned 60, he told me about this program, and I signed up for it. And about a year later, they got in contact with me, and here they are today,” Neal said.

Neal expressed her gratitude to KTAB/KRBC for choosing her home for their project. She has lived there for five years and mentioned that her niece suggested she move at just the right time, as her rent had increased. Neal continued to express her appreciation for the work that has been done to improve her home, calling it a blessing upon blessings.