$20,000 in Home Improvements to a Military Family!

I want to start off with a big surprise, because I'm super excited about it and want to make sure no one misses out on helping me help someone else!


I have been given the opportunity to choose a family in need in my community to win $20,000 in home improvements from Home Depot.... seriously.


Isn't that AWESOME?! I'm letting you know this now because I will need your help to vote for my family and help them win! I'll let you guys know as soon as the families are chosen.


Now I must tell you how I'm so lucky to be able to do this.

I was invited, along with nine other bloggers, to join The Home Depot Foundation in Atlanta to participate in a Team Depot project in celebration of Veterans Day on Nov. 11, 2011. The night before the project, us bloggers were surprised  with this awesome opportunity to Give the Gift of Good in our own communities by each getting a $500 Home Depot gift card to purchase holiday decorations for a local military family in need. The families we choose will also be entered into a contest to have Home Depot fulfill their “Wish List” of home improvements up to a retail value of $20,000. Items on the “wish list” are things that will make a real difference in the long term efficiency and comfort of the family’s home, including things like a new HVAC system, new carpet, a new roof and new windows. The winning family will be determined by votes on a Facebook application on The Home Depot page Nov. 29-Dec. 9 and announced on Dec. 14.

I'm. So. Excited. To find my family! I'm already working on ways to get the word out so I can find the perfect one. Wish me luck!!

So, this is what we did in Atlanta. All the bloggers, both milbloggers and DIY bloggers, worked with Quest 35, a homeless shelter who has been working on a facility strictly for vets, by doing things such as landscaping and building benches. I got to do a little of both.

The new facility for veterans

I BUILT A BENCH!

Before

During

And done!!

I thought it was pretty cool. I've never actually built... anything before. It was awesome to work side by side with these amazing people to help rebuild some lives. It was the best way I could've spent Veterans Day, hands down.

Never heard of Home Depot Foundation? Well, that's ok, because I'll be honest, I hadn't either until this trip. Here is a little information, from their mouths, about who they are and what they've been up to this year:

 

About: Celebration of Service

“Celebration of Service” is a major campaign by The Home Depot and The Home Depot Foundation to enhance the lives of U.S. military veterans and to highlight the needs and opportunities they face.  The campaign includes:

·         200 service projects: In partnership with The Mission Continues, The Home Depot associate-volunteers will be completing 200 service projects directly aimed at improving homes, facilities and community centers where veterans and their families live and receive services.

·         $9 million in grants:  From September 11 through November 11, The Home Depot Foundation will announce grants of up to $1 million to nonprofits dedicated to veterans’ housing issues

·         A gift card that gives back:  When customers purchase this specially-themed Home Depot gift card during Celebration of Service, five percent of the value placed on the card will go to The Home Depot Foundation to support nonprofits dedicated to veterans’ housing needs.  Gift cards may be purchased in our stores or online at www.homedepot.com.

LINK: http://www.homedepotfoundation.org/how-we-help/team-depot/celebrationofservice.html

About: The Home Depot Foundation

The Home Depot Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that was established in 2002 to further the community building goals of The Home Depot by providing additional resources to assist nonprofit organizations. The mission of The Home Depot Foundation is simple...to improve homes and improve lives. Through partnership with local nonprofits and the volunteer efforts of Team Depot, we focus on repairing and refurbishing homes and facilities that serve disadvantaged families and individuals.

For the next three years, we are placing special emphasis on serving U.S. military veterans who are facing growing financial and physical hardships at home as they return to civilian life. Over the next three years, we will invest over $30 million to help ease the burdens of this deserving group by repairing and renovating homes for military veterans.

Since its formation in 2002, The Home Depot Foundation has granted more than $270 million to nonprofit organizations improving homes and lives in local communities. 

LINK:  http://www.homedepotfoundation.org/

Twitter:  @homedepotfdn

Facebook: www.facebook.com/homedepotfoundation

And here's a little about Quest 35, the shelter we helped out at on Veteran's Day:

About: Quest 35

The mission of Quest 35 Housing Inc. is to develop and implement affordable-supportive housing programs that service the special need homeless and/or low income populations.  Our core supportive services are case management, educational training, vocational training, community resources linkage (SA/MH services) and financial management payee services.

Quest 35 Housing Programs are in its 10th year of service and currently own and operates 57 supportive units providing over 140 beds to the City of Atlanta, Fulton County, United Way and the State of GA.

LINK: http://www.quest35housing.org/

I'm extremely thankful to have been given such an amazing opportunity and can't wait to get to work finding my family! I hope everyone else had a great Veteran's day. As always, thank you to all our men and women who have served and continue to serve.

To Enter:

You must have proof of serving in the military.

You must prove that you are in need of this service. I will determine this on a case by case basis.

You must live in the Pensacola/Mobile area.

You must own your home.

E-mail me at wifeofawoundedmarine@hotmail.com with your story. Please include:

Name

Contact Information

City

Branch of Service 

Your story/need

The family I choose will be announced right here on November 28th, so don't forget to check back! At that time I will give details on how to vote.

Please pass this on as there could be someone on your twitter, facebook, or following your blog that could benefit from this. Help me get this out to as many people as possible!

Thank you so much for your help!!