Community gathers to rebuild children's home Published Aug. 17, 2009 By Airman 1st Class Rachelle Elsea 325th Fighter Wing/ Public Affairs Orphanage -- Volunteers from Tyndall Air Force base and the local community teamed together Saturday to help rebuild the Taunton Family Children's Compound in Wewahitchka, Fla. The compound, built by David and Abigail Taunton in 1979, has been home to more than 300 of the area's orphaned and abandoned children. On New Year's Eve of last year, the Tauton's home was consumed by an electrical fire while the family was on vacation in Tennessee. The 15,000-square-foot structure was destroyed, but all other buildings in the 80-acre estate were spared. With no insurance, the Tauntons were on the verge of shutting down. However, with encouragement from their children, they were determined to start over. Volunteer Airmen from Tyndall AFB have been working with the Tauntons for more than 30 years, beginning with the instillation of the ceiling in their gym. Over the last couple decades, they have also help build a nature path through the back of the house and a large gazebo near the pool area. "When I heard the house still wasn't finished I knew something had to be done," said Linda Lebarron-Hamn, 325th Medical Support Squadron. "At first I had 10 volunteers and then word got out and it spread like wild fire. By the end of the week I had over eighty people signed up!" One hundred people from Tyndall AFB and the local community helped with the reconstruction. The volunteer effort will continue Aug. 22 from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Individuals interested in signing up can contact Linda Lebarron-Hamn via e-mail at linda.lebarronhamn@tyndall.af.mil.