Throughout 2011, Pella Corporation will work with the nonprofit organization Homes for Our Troops to build homes for injured U.S. soldiers and their families across the United States and in Canada. As part of the Pella PRO EXPO, a total of 30 events from January through May will be held to encourage attendees to donate to help build homes for these individuals.
“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,” Jarred Roy, trade marketing manager at Pella Corporation, stated in a press release. “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.”
Homes for Our Troops’ specially-adapted homes go beyond Americans with Disabilities Act compliance. They typically feature single-level, open floor plans, roll-in showers, roll-under cook tops 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.
“Many veterans are returning home from wars in Iraq or Afghanistan with life-altering injuries sustained while defending the United States overseas,” John Gonsalves, president and founder of Homes for Our Troops stated. “These American heroes need specially-adapted homes that will allow them to regain their independence and help them and their families rebuild their lives.”
Veterans’ 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 use a wheelchair when they are unable to walk on their prostheses. Their homes are no longer a place of comfort, but rather filled with barriers that make the simplest tasks difficult, if not impossible, Gonsalves stated.
