SACO — In the spirit of Veteran’s Day, the Thornton Academy Action Team spent Nov. 14 in Rochester, New Hampshire to help build a home for a veteran and his family.

Sixteen local students got their hands dirty shoveling, hammering, and carrying 2x4s, according to a press release from Thornton. The TA students joined students from Brunswick High School, York High School and Attleboro High School in Massachusetts, according to a press release from Volunteers of America Northern New England. In total there were 50 students, working with the Major League Baseball Trust, Volunteers of America, the Southeast New Hampshire Habitat For Humanity and a former member of the U.S. Armed Forces, according to information from the two press releases.

“When they arrived, not much more than a foundation was visible. By the time they left, six walls were in place. A neighborhood transformation was underway and the Action Teams were pleased to be part of it,” according to the press release from Volunteers of America Northern New England. The family was on site the day of the project, according to the release.

The Action Team national youth program was created and is administered by the Major League Baseball Players Trust and Volunteers of America. Through action teams, high school students work on volunteer projects.

On the recent Saturday in Rochester, students worked alongside Matt Barnes from the Boston Red Sox, Chris Iannetta, most recently with the Los Angeles Angels, and Ryan O’Rourke from the Minnesota Twins, according to both press releases. The baseball players provided “most of the muscle” by lifting and setting prefab wall sections in place and then held a question and answer session with students.

“It was a great experience and it was wonderful meeting/ working with our fellow Action Team members from other communities,” Thornton Academy Action Team Co-Captain Abigail Ouellette said in a written statement. She said she enjoyed making a difference in the lives of the veteran and his family.

“The family was so sweet and it made helping them that much better,” said Thornton Academy Action Team Co-Captain Alexis Nason in a written statement. “I think it was a great experience and I would love to be a part of something similar in the future.”