National Campaign to Fix Older Veterans' Homes Commences

SAN DIEGO, Aug. 7, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Today is Purple Heart Day, a day when the nation honors the men, women, and their families who have sacrificed for their country. One of the biggest ways our nation can honor Veterans is to ensure they and their families have a safe place to call home. In support of this effort, mayors and credit unions in cities across the country are working with the National League of Cities, Purple Heart Homes, and The Home Depot Foundation to officially kick-off of the second annual Operation Veteran Home Renovation campaign, created to help older, approved Veterans and their caregivers with needed home modifications.

The campaign was announced today in San Diego at the Defense Credit Union Council's Annual Conference where, as a show of support for troops and their families, Purple Heart Homes was selected as the 2017 charity organization.  The Defense Credit Union Council is raising funds at the conference with a silent auction, a 50-50 raffle, raffle for a donated handmade blanket, and mulligan sales from this year's 24^th Annual VADM Vince Lacara Gold Tournament.  All proceeds will be donated to Purple Heart Homes.

"We are grateful to be working with the National League of Cities, mayors, credit unions and The Home Depot Foundation to help more older veterans live safely and with dignity in their homes," said Dale Beatty, Purple Heart Homes Co-Founder and Strategic Development Officer. "Older veterans live in homes built in the 1950's and 1960's that oftentimes are not suited for service connected disabilities combined with normal aging issues in later life."

Mayors in seven cities are participating in the campaign.  Each city will help identify veterans who need home modifications and to organize volunteers to work on approved projects. Credit unions are supporting these efforts by volunteering and raising much needed funds of up to $5,000 for approved veterans to receive ramps, grab bars, fresh coat of paint, or to help with yard cleanup.

The seven cities include:

Fayetteville, NC/Fort Bragg Federal Credit Union;  
Hattiesburg, MS/Keesler Federal Credit Union;  
Mobile, AL, with help from the Young Professionals Group (YPG) that represents several credit unions in Mobile;
Tacoma, WA/Sound Credit Union 
Winston-Salem, NC/ Allegacy Federal Credit Union;
Colorado Springs, CO – financial partner to be announced
Rochester, NY- financial partner to be announced

"In cities across the country, mayors and local leaders know the critical importance of a safe place to call home," said Clarence Anthony, CEO and Executive Director of the National League of Cities. "We are proud to join with national partners and local stakeholders across the country to honor the sacrifice of our veterans by enabling them to remain in their communities."

The campaign kicks-off officially on August 7 and approved projects can be started any time, but must all be completed by Veteran's Day, November 11, 2017.

The National League of Cities and Purple Heart Homes are national partners of The Home Depot Foundation. The Foundation has encouraged its partners to collaborate on improving efficiencies in order to help more older veterans age safely in place.

The Home Depot Foundation works to improve the homes and lives of U.S. military veterans and their families. Since 2011, it has transformed more than 33,000 homes and facilities for Veterans across the country and is growing its commitment to veteran-related causes to $250 million by 2020.

Other credit unions participating in Operation: Veteran Home Renovation include: Dover Federal Credit Union in Dover, DE; Travis Credit Union in Vacaville, CA; Peach State Federal Credit Union in Lawrenceville, GA; Scott Credit Union in Edwardsville, IL; Tinker Federal Credit Union in Oklahoma City; Robins Financial Credit Union in Warner Robins, GA; United Federal Credit Union in Statesville, NC.

Purple Heart Day commemorates the creation of the Purple Heart Medal in 1782. The Purple Heart is awarded to those who were wounded or killed while serving in the US military. Dale Beatty and John Gallina, Purple Heart Homes co-founders, were both wounded on November 15, 2004, while serving in Iraq and both received the Purple Heart medal. Veterans approved for Operation: Veteran Home Renovation need not have a Purple Heart medal.

To learn more about Operation: Veteran Home Renovation and how to get involved, contact: Vicki Thomas, Purple Heart Homes (203) 984-2138 or email to [email protected]

ABOUT THE NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES

The National League of Cities (NLC) is dedicated to helping city leaders build better communities. NLC is a resource and advocate for 19,000 cities, towns, and villages, representing more than 218 million Americans. www.nlc.org

ABOUT PURPLE HEART HOMES

Purple Heart Homes is a 501(c)3 founded by Dale Beatty and John Gallina, two Iraq combat-wounded Veterans who remain on a mission to provide housing solutions to Service Connected Disabled Veterans and their families. Driven by the belief that no Veterans should be left behind, Purple Heart Homes, together with the community. Is committed to ensuring quality of life solutions for disabled American Veterans of all eras. www.phhusa.org

SOURCE Purple Heart Homes

Related Links

http://www.phhusa.org