Over the past few years, Vietnam War veteran Jerry Arnold’s home has gone into disrepair, as all of his time is devoted to caring for his mother, who has Alzheimer’s and lives with him. On Sept. 9, Arnold was one of the many recipients of The Home Depot’s fourth annual Celebration of Service event.
“We are building a wheelchair ramp so Mr. Arnold can easily move his ailing mother in and out of the house,” said Team Depot Captain Ann-Marie Lieberman. “Team Depot is also completing beautification projects to make Mr. Arnold’s house feel more like home, including interior and exterior painting, landscaping and constructing a paved outdoor patio space with a bench and a new grill.”
The Celebration of Service event comes through The Home Depot Foundation, which focuses its philanthropic efforts on improving the homes and lives of U.S. military veterans and their families and aiding communities affected by natural disasters.
On 9/11, the volunteers transformed 500 homes around the country, and hope to complete 1,000 by Veteran’s Day on Nov. 11.
“I moved back here to care for my mother who is extremely ill. I have tried to keep it up, but it has been difficult. I want to make it more comfortable for her and that is why this makeover meant so much to me,” said Arnold of his family home.
The makeover was in partnership with HouseProud Atlanta, a small nonprofit that provides no-cost critical repairs for low-income seniors, the disabled and veterans.
Volunteer Jessica Taillefer participated for the first time in Celebration of Service.
“Our veterans chose to unselfishly give of themselves to allow us the lives we live today,” she said. “The men and women who have served in the past and continue to do so today deserve our unending support for the sacrifices they make.
Since 2011, The Home Depot Foundation has invested more than $80 million to provide safe housing, and along with the help of Team Depot volunteers, has transformed more than 13,000 homes for veterans.
In other news: The law firm of Warner, Bates, McGough, McGinnis & Portnoy raised $15,590 for the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation's Guardian ad Litem program. Now in its third year, the event has raised close to $50,000 for the program that provides training for private attorney volunteers to represent Fulton County children from low-income households who are the subject of contested custody actions.
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