Injured Iraq Veteran's Story Resonates with Film Producers - Takes Ava Film Awards Top Honor

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Rebuilding Together proudly announced today that their Veterans Initiative video has received the Platinum Ava Film Award. This acknowledgement marks the end of another impactful year in which Rebuilding Together's Veterans Housing program topped 500 projects, providing returning veterans with significant home repairs and disabled access modifications , making it possible for them to return to their own homes in comfort, safety, and with dignity.

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The Video "Rebuilding Together - Veterans Initiative," showcases one of the hundreds of military service members and their families who have been served by Rebuilding Together.

The film tells the story of Sergeant Mark M. Meunier, a recently retired Army Sergeant. During his tour of duty in Iraq, Mark suffered significant injuries that left him unable to perform many simple tasks in his own home. He needed critical renovations made so the home would be accessible for him to live an independent lifestyle. Rebuilding Together answered his cries for help - the Veterans Housing program made the necessary renovations: replacing the roof, installing a wheelchair ramp, replacing windows, building a new accessible bathroom on the first floor, repairing electrical wiring, installing a new water heater and furnace, installing a new front door, replacing flooring, and painting.

"This story of the courageous and indomitable spirit of Mark Meunier is one we have seen in so many of the returning veterans who are without regret, tirelessly dedicated to protecting and serving our nation. This video is a perfect illustration of the work Rebuilding Together delivers to our most deserving American heroes," said Gary A. Officer, President & CEO, Rebuilding Together. "There are hundreds more like Sergeant Meunier requiring our help and we are committed to being here for them when they return from abroad."

Rebuilding Together's work for Veterans is funded by public generosity and generous corporate partners, with major funding from Sears Holdings and their Heroes at Home campaign. Over the past three years, Sears has helped Rebuilding Together's Veterans Housing program by raising more than $9 million dollars through Heroes at Home.

There is much need and work ahead, the public is asked to support this program by sharing the video link and by donating to support Rebuilding Together's work.

Watch the award-winning video and share it with your Facebook friends to support this critical message. Please visit www.rebuildingtogether.org to learn more about Veterans Housing and to make a donation today.

ABOUT REBUILDING TOGETHER

Rebuilding Together is the nation's leading nonprofit organization working to preserve affordable homeownership and revitalize neighborhoods by providing critical home repair and modification services to those in need at no cost to homeowners. With the help of everyday citizen volunteers, skilled trades people, the support of local business and major corporate partners, Rebuilding Together affiliates in America's largest cities and smallest towns make life considerably better for thousands of low-income homeowners and the communities in which they live by completing 10,000 projects per year. In addition to its core home repair work, Rebuilding Together also rehabilitates community centers and conducts home modification and repair programs that focus on aging in place. Rebuilding Together has programs dedicated to ageing in place, energy efficiency, veteran's housing, and disaster recovery and reconstruction. For more information, visit www.RebuildingTogether.org. Become a fan on Facebook at Facebook.com/RebuildingTogether or follow us on Twitter @RebldgTogthr.

SOURCE Rebuilding Together

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