John McAuslan, 81, of the Lake Braddock community in Burke is a widower with a heart condition and a bad back. Semi-retired from his own pest control business, he lives on Raintree Road with his daughter Leanne but is unable to maintain his home and property.

On Monday and Tuesday, July 22-23, about 30 people from A Brush With Kindness came to McAuslan’s aid, helping to build a new deck, remove overgrown bamboo and ivy, rake leaves and debris, and remove ground cover from a path. A Brush With Kindness concentrates on outdoor cleanup and is part of Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia.

In addition, the volunteers repaired the front wood steps, installed a sliding glass door, replaced a basement window, installed a window well, and changed door locks and weather stripping.

“I think it’s a real blessing,” said McAuslan. “I feel gratified. I could never have afforded it.”

This is Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia's eighth renovation project in 2013, said Jennifer Mulchandani, marketing and communications manager. It averages about 12 home renovations per year locally. Currently, projects are in the works for Centreville and Falls Church.

She said a “sandlot gang” of experienced carpenters, framers and demo experts help train thousands of volunteers at the work sites, but that no experience is required. Habitat gets all the necessary building permits and follows strict building codes for Fairfax County.

“We do the critical stuff that homeowners need in order to stay in their homes,” said Mulchandani.

EACH PROJECT is budgeted at roughly $5,000, with major donors like E-Trade Bank, Capital One Bank and the Stafford Foundation supporting the cause. They also rely on in-kind donations and work with suppliers to receive discounts.

Most of the senior-level GS-15 volunteers who cleaned McAuslan’s yard were from the Strategic Studies Group, directed by David E. Johnson, Ph.D., of Falls Church. They are part of Gen. Raymond Odierno’s command, office of the chief of staff of the Army, stationed in Crystal City.

“I think it’s a good way to bring a new group of people together with something that matters,” said Johnson.

The Brush With Kindness projects provide a team-building exercise for companies like the Strategic Studies Group, which signed a sponsorship agreement and brought 27 people to the Burke site.

“We’re really pleased to see government employees band together for a project,” said Mulchandani. “We find that important and meaningful.”

Architect Romana Sanchez of Alexandria was director of construction on this project, which cost about $3,000, and covered the cost of a dumpster and porta-potty. “I enjoy helping someone get a handle on maintaining their house,” she said. “It’s just great to give someone a lift.”

Volunteer John Gross of Reston said McAuslan’s back yard was completely overgrown with about 25 years of bamboo growth. “We’re basically getting the homeowner’s yard back to where it’s safe and functional again.”

ALSO HELPING to clear the bamboo and brush was Col. E.J. Degen of Catlett, Va., a former carpenter before he joined the U.S. Army. He has been doing volunteer work for 35 years and adds: “I like the satisfaction of helping somebody who needs help.”