R.E.D. (Real Estate Diversion) Alert
Above, is a picture of Jeff Guerin. He is an army medic who suffered severe injuries when a roadside bomb went off during his tour in Afganistan. He’s had numerous surgeries to help his leg wounds, yet he cannot take a step without pain. He was also blinded by the bomb. He relies on a cocktail of 16 painkillers to get through each day. Jeff needs specially adapted housing to help alieviate the challenges that his injuries pose. Enter the charity, Homes for Our Troops . Thanks for your honorable service, Jeff. And thanks to Homes for Our Troops, this 4th of July holds more optimism and promise for your future in a home that will be given to you for free, Jeff. Happy Independence Day!
Read the rest of the story -Jeff will be able to move out of his parents’ home and into his new digs by early 2009.
The nonprofit charity will build a one-story ranch home specially designed for Guerin’s disabilities, with hallways and doorways wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair, an elevator to ride to the basement, a roll-in shower, voice-activated heating and alarm systems, motion-activated faucets and an enclosed aquatherapy pool.
Homes for Our Troops has constructed 28 houses for veterans across the country and has 25 under way.
“Our philosophy is the wounded soldiers have paid more for these homes than most people will ever pay,” said John Gonsalves, who founded the organization in 2004. “They put their blood down. They shouldn’t have to pay more.”
Last year Gonsalves was awarded the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Public Service for the organization’s work.
The American Institute of Philanthropy gives the organization an A- minus grade — one of the highest it has awarded to a charity benefiting veterans — because Homes for Our Troops uses at least 75 percent of its revenue for program costs.
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“Homes for Our Troops” is doing magnificent work. I can’t help but wonder if our own government shouldn’t be carrying out this type of project on a wide scale to help all of our returning war heroes. Don’t we all owe our returning troops substantial gratitude that this charity is left alone to do?
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