October 17, 2008

Local Military Family Benefits from Heroes at Home

Rebuilding Together volunteers teamed with volunteers to help renovate the two Evergreen homes of a local veteran and a low-income family. Work at these homes are part of Heroes at Homesm a program that provides support to military service people, veterans and their families through joint efforts with various nonprofit organizations.

Rebuilding Together, Sears and Kmart volunteers worked to assist Henry Gage, a vibrant 81-year old Evergreen resident on Floresta Drive.

Rebuilding Together, Sears and Kmart volunteers worked to assist Henry Gage, a vibrant 81-year old Evergreen resident on Floresta Drive. This veteran served 22 years in the military, first in the Navy, then with the Army Air Force and lastly with the Army. During his service, he received 22 awards and medals including the Purple Heart. He fought in WWII, Korea and Vietnam. Now at 81, he is strong enough to walk with limited use of his cane. Among the repairs provided, railings will be installed to assist his increased mobility.

Consuelo Gomez, 86, has been living in her home on Fairfax Avenue for over 40 years and suffers from bronchial asthma. She has lived alone without family for the past 10 years since her husband’s passing. She suffers from bronchial asthma and passes her time in her backyard garden or at the Evergreen Community center where she relies upon for her meals. Volunteers provided many repairs for Gomez including flooring, electrical lighting repairs and fencing and energy efficiency updates.

Sears Holdings has raised nearly $5 million for Heroes at Homesm through 2008 via a nationwide in-store fund-raising campaign and a donation of $1 million made by Sears for credit card purchases made at any of its Sears stores during the holidays. This is one of the hundreds of projects made possible by these donations.

“We are extremely excited and proud to team with Sears and Kmart to assist military families in our community,” said Beverley Jackson, Executive Director, Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley.

Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley continues to generate support for low-income families, the elderly and the disabled, members of the military, veterans and their families by providing home repairs, improvements or modifications. Each year, more than 1,700 Silicon Valley volunteers gather to complete both major and minor repairs and improvements, enabling residents to live in warmth, safety and independence. All repairs and improvements are completely free of charge with materials provided through donations and funds from area businesses, organizations and private individuals.

To find out more about Rebuilding Together, how to refer a family or how you can help, please visit www.rebuildingtogether-sv.org or call (408) 578-9519.