Local soldier's home being refurbished by an army of Home Depot volunteers

WHITE LAKE, Mich. (WXYZ) - First Lt. Joseph Prapotnik was deployed to Afghanistan in the spring, leaving behind his wife Melanie and 13-year-old stepdaughter Bridgette. They had just purchased a foreclosed home in White Lake and it was a house that needed a lot of work.

"It has been more than we can handle financially," says Melanie.
 
Bridgette says she felt unsafe, because some of the locks on doors weren’t even working.
 
"I’m sad. I didn’t want him to leave. He's always a good dad to me," says Bridgette.
 
When First Lt. Prapotnik was deployed, projects the family had started were put on hold.

However, Melanie soon heard about a special program by Home Depot meant to support military families at no cost.

Dennis Sanders is the manager of Home Depot in Farmington Hills. Employees at the location were eager to give their time to help the Prapotnik’s.
 
"I have family members who have served in the army. The best thing we can do is support those they had to leave behind," says Sanders.
 
For the second day, a team of  Home Depot volunteers worked on projects the Prapotnik’s had started and did so much more.
 
"Alarms on windows, locks on doors... security.. lighting. We put in a new bathroom tub, sink, new tile," says Sanders.
 
Melanie and Bridgette are thrilled.

"To be able to show this to my husband when he comes home ... it's the most wonderful thing in the world," says Melanie.

The Home Depot volunteers will return to the house on Friday to finish the work.

Melanie says her husband is so happy volunteers are helping his family and he can't wait to see the progress.

The earliest First Lt. Prapotnik could return home is this spring.