shower to give the Salvation Army Housing Complex a much needed facelift on Saturday.

The men who all belong to the battalion's A Company headed by Major Nick Moore and second-in-command Capt. Eddie Lambe, performed the duties which are an important extension of their regular infantry and internal security training.

Each second-year company is required to select their own project as a tangible way to give something back to the community.

Major Moore said that while many criticise Bermuda's youth for taking from but never giving anything back to the community, events such as the painting of the shelter show that these criticisms are not always true.

Work began around 9.00 a.m. and involved the soldiers painting the six buildings that form the North Street complex.

Five hours and thirty gallons of paint later, the exterior walls had been spruced up as well as the roof of the admissions office and counselling centre.

Rain foiled A Company's plans to paint the Pembroke Rest Home last year but on Saturday only a brief shower interrupted the project in the early afternoon.

By the time the soldiers had finished the job around 2.30 p.m., the six units -- housing for both men and women as well as the laundry, dining room and kitchen -- were sporting a their new, more enhanced, appearance.

Major David Goulding executive director of the Harbour Light Centre, said he was delighted with the what the soldiers were able to achieve in such a short time.

Major Goulding who has been at his post in Bermuda for the last two months, was head of the Salvation Army's Family Services division in London, Ontario for the last 13 years.

"I was totally excited when I received a call from the Regiment and they expressed the wish to assist us in this way,'' he said.

"It's amazing the work that can be accomplished in the community by volunteers.

"Just two weeks ago a group of college students painted the Harbour Lights building.

"Getting jobs like this done saves us thousands of dollars. This amounts to a tremendous savings.'' And Robert Simmons, a supervisor at the Housing Complex for the last 11 years, said that the six units that comprise the shelter have not had a new coat of paint since they were put up.

The newest unit was constructed in 1993 but the oldest unit near the rear of the property went up December 9, 1982.

"I am very pleased to see that we have young people who dedicate themselves to the Salvation Army. This encourages us and our clients to do more for each other.''