A group of volunteers is helping a Navy veteran from Chester rebuild the outdoor kitchen he uses to feed people experiencing homelessness after strong storms destroyed it earlier this week. Chef Lamont Harris said he was overwhelmed by the support after strangers stepped in to help restore the ba ckyard kitchen, which also serves as an important outlet for managing his PTSD. “Gratefulness, gratefulness man, it’s not every day someone shares an act of kindness to you,” Harris said. New Ridge Fellowship Response Crew learned about Harris’ story through social media and quickly organized to help. Volunteers spent the day building a temporary structure to replace the damaged outdoor kitchen, working to stay ahead of more rain. They plan to return to build an even better setup. “He’s all about helping others, and he’s in need right now, and that’s what he does, so we want to help him get back in business, if you will,” Jay Kratz of the New Ridge Fellowship Response Crew said. Strong storms swept through Chester’s 5th Street neighborhood Monday, bringing down a large tree that struck Harris’ home and damaged nearby houses. The storms also destroyed his outdoor kitchen. Harris told NBC10 he uses the kitchen not only to prepare meals for people experiencing homelessness but also as a way to cope with PTSD following his service in the U.S. Navy. “People say that God will give you things back tenfold. Well, I’m getting a piece of the pie tenfold,” Harris said. With volunteers continuing the rebuilding effort, Harris expects to soon return to the work that has become his mission. This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC Philadelphia. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC Philadelphia journalist edited the article for publication. ...read more read less