It didn't take long for Steve Allison to decide to donate 18 windows to replace the ones that were stolen from a Habitat for Humanity build site in York City.

The owner of Amerex in Springettsbury Township heard about the thefts on a news broadcast Wednesday night, and on Thursday morning, he had committed to replacing the stolen windows with new ones.

"I saw it on the news and it didn't sit well," Allison said of the thefts. "It just really disgusted me."

What really struck his nerve is the fact that one of the duplex homes is being built for a current member of the U.S. Army and the other for an Army veteran.

York Habitat for Humanity officials hope to have the homes finished in time for Veterans' Day in November.

Veterans build: Work on the homes kicked off on Memorial Day with a 12-hour blitz build that saw roughly 60 veterans turn out to erect the house's outer walls and put the roofs on.

Since then and until November, volunteers will be out working to finish the homes.

One of the homes is being built for Sgt. Michael Collazo, who is serving in Afghanistan, and his family. The other home is being built for Donnell Ingram, an eight-year veteran of the Army, and his family.

Setback: Along with the windows, a door was also stolen, said Debbie Krout-Althoff, executive director of the local Habitat.

The windows were delivered last Friday and were to be installed this week, she said.

Instead, they were reported stolen to York City Police on Wednesday morning, police said.

The stolen windows would have cost $3,000 to replace, and it would have taken two to three weeks for them to be shipped to York, Krout-Althoff said.

But Allison was able to pull some strings with a supplier after explaining what had happened, and the windows will be here next week, he said.

Construction materials and tools have been stolen from Habitat work sites in the past but this theft is especially disheartening since the homes are being build for those who served their country, Krout-Althoff said.

Despite the thefts, Krout-Althoff said it's good to see there are people out there who will counter criminal acts with good deeds.

"It was very disheartening, but it's good to see people out there who are willing to help," she said.

Anyone with information about the thefts is asked to call York City Police at 846-1234.

Help wanted: Volunteers are needed to help finish construction on two houses for military men and their families.

Construction is slated for every Wednesday and Friday and every other Saturday, with groups of 10 volunteers needed per day.

Volunteers are asked to contribute a $25 donation that will go directly to help cover the costs to build the two houses in the 500 block of Company Street in York City.

To volunteer, contact the York Habitat office at 854-6168 or email yhfh@yorkhabitat.org.

- Reach Greg Gross at ggross@yorkdispatch.com.