Building Professionals Support Homes for Our Troops

PELLA, Iowa, Jan. 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Thirty events across the U.S. and Canada will bring the building industry together in 2011, and during each event, window and door industry leader Pella Corporation will encourage attendees to donate to help build homes for severely injured U.S. soldiers and their families.

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Pella has selected the national, non-profit organization Homes for Our Troops as its charitable partner for THE PRO EXPO Presented by Pella(SM) program held in 30 U.S. and Canadian markets January through May 2011. Pella is contributing money to help the Homes for Our Troops cause, and is encouraging others to do so as well.

"Through THE PRO EXPO Presented by Pella events, we bring together builders, remodelers, contractors, architects and students to network, share ideas and earn accredited educational credits," said Jarred Roy, trade marketing manager at Pella Corporation. "An important part of this event is providing attendees with a meaningful charity to which they can donate. Homes for Our Troops is a strong fit for Pella and our partners, given each of our ties to the homebuilding industry."

How to help

Donations can be made through a secure online fundraising site at http://www.homesforourtroops.org/THEPROEXPO. Or, to make a $10 donation (U.S. currency) to Homes for Our Troops, text the word EXPO to 85944.  

Non-profit helps severely injured veterans

Since it was founded in 2004, Homes for Our Troops has assisted severely injured veterans and their immediate families by raising donations of money, building materials, and professional labor and coordinates the process of building a specially-adapted home that enables an injured veteran to live more independently. The homes provided by Homes for Our Troops are given at no cost to the veterans.

"Many veterans are returning home from wars in Iraq or Afghanistan with life-altering injuries sustained while defending the United States overseas," said John Gonsalves, president and founder of Homes for Our Troops. "These American heroes need specially-adapted homes that will allow them to regain their independence and help them and their families rebuild their lives."

Injuries include the loss of one or more limbs, varying levels of paralysis and traumatic brain injury. Some veterans also return with blindness, deafness or severe burns. They may be confined to a wheelchair or may need to utilize a wheelchair when they are unable to walk on their prosthetics. Their homes are no longer a place of comfort, but rather filled with barriers that make the simplest tasks difficult, if not impossible, Gonsalves said.

Homes designed for accessibility

Homes for Our Troops' specially-adapted homes go beyond Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance. They typically feature single-level, open floor plans, roll-in showers, roll-under cooktops and sinks, and other standard accessibility items. Depending on the severity of the injury suffered by the veteran, the homes may also include specialized items like lift systems, keyless door entry and voice activation controls.

Additional information:

• Pella Pressroom, http://pressroom.pella.com/  
• Homes for Our Troops website, homesforourtroops.org
• "Universal design -- age gracefully, safely in your own home" fact sheet from the Pella Pressroom
• "Go for it! At THE PRO EXPO Presented by Pella event" news release
• THE PRO EXPO Presented by Pella video

Homes for Our Troops videos:

• Homes for Our Troops – Our Stories: http://tinyurl.com/4rbezg6  
• Texas 3-Star Build Brigade: http://tinyurl.com/4bnh36x
• Texas 3-Star Key Ceremony: http://tinyurl.com/4zsccbb

About Pella

Pella Corporation is a leader in designing, testing, manufacturing and installing quality windows and doors for new construction, remodeling and replacement applications.

As a family-owned and professionally managed privately-held company, Pella is known for its 85-year history of making innovative products, providing quality service and delivering on customer satisfaction. Headquartered in Pella, Iowa, the company is committed to incorporating new technologies, increasing productivity and practicing environmental stewardship to create satisfied customers.

Pella manufactures quality windows, patio doors and entry door systems sold through a Direct Sales Network operating Pella Window & Door Showrooms across the United States and Canada. For more information, call 888-847-3552 or visit pella.com. Follow Pella on Twitter.com @Pella_News.

Related Links

THE PRO EXPO Presented by Pella (SM)

Pella Pressroom

Pella.com

SOURCE Pella Corporation