Having a roof over your head is something many people take for granted. But for one Fort Drum soldier, it's giving him new hope. Our Amanda Kelley tells us how a group of volunteers are helping with more than just home repairs in Sandy Creek.

  To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.

Then come back here and refresh the page.

SANDY CREEK, N.Y. -- Hammering, cutting and screwing on a new roof to this Sandy Creek home is simple work for these volunteers.

E.A. Rogers Construction Owner Ed Rogers said, "It's not very tough, it's actually pretty simple, somebody had already come and done the strapping on the roof. All we're doing is sticking on steel."

But it means everything to homeowner and wounded soldier Sgt. Curtis Dassau.

Sgt. Curtis Dassau with the 3-85 Warrior Transition Unit said, "It enlightened my spirit really. Almost people have almost forgotten that we've got soldiers going and fighting the war and just to know that there are people out there that do care and think about it, it means a lot it really does."

Dassau deployed in 2009 and sustained injuries while fighting the war on terror. This leaky roof was an obstacle he just couldn't tackle and Dassau began looking for help. With the help of the AUSA he was contacted by EA Rogers Construction, who wanted to lend a hand.

Rogers said, "It feels a little better that you're doing something for a wounded soldier. That's basically what it is."

With the winter season quickly approaching, Rogers said he had a tight schedule, but made time for this special project.

Rogers said, "We wouldn't be where we are today if it wasn't for people like him."

AUSA NNY President Joseph McLaughlin said, "They're stopping what they're doing on a Saturday on a Thanksgiving weekend and that's significant, that people should know, to come over here and take care of this because they've got plenty of other jobs lined up."

Rogers Construction is saving Dassau thousands of dollars by helping put the new roof up.
But more importantly, it's giving him hope.

Dassau said, "It's motivating and you kind of get to the point where you've been doing your job and I love my job being in the infantry and then all of a sudden you can't do your job and it does kind of bring you down, and this, days like today, it makes you realize that there's still a good life out there."

To learn more about the AUSA or to partner with them to help soldiers like Sgt. Dassau visit www.ausa.org.