More than 60 Team Depot Volunteers Launched the Commitment on Veterans Day by Completing Home Repairs for Four Metro Atlanta Veterans and Their Families
ATLANTA, Nov. 11, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Today, The Home Depot® Foundation celebrated Veterans Day in Atlanta by announcing a $5 million pledge to perform critical home repairs to help 400 senior military veterans safely age in place in the metro area over the next three years. For this initiative, The Home Depot is partnering with seven area nonprofits that serve senior veterans including Atlanta Habitat for Humanity, Habitat for Humanity DeKalb County, Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Metro Atlanta, HouseProud, Meals on Wheels Atlanta, Senior Connections and Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity.
Team Depot, The Home Depot’s associate-led volunteer force, kicked off the effort today by completing critical home repairs for four local senior veterans and their families including a Vietnam veteran who earned a Purple Heart for his service, a decorated Army veteran who served in Vietnam, an Air Force veteran who earned the National Defense Service Medal and the widow of a WWII veteran.
“Through our work with these local nonprofit partners, we discovered that there are hundreds of senior veterans in the metro area who have critical issues impacting the safety of their homes and need to make changes to maintain their independence while aging in place,” said Shannon Gerber, executive director of The Home Depot Foundation. “With this new commitment, we’ll continue our work to help veterans in our hometown have a safe place to live now, and as they age.”
Since 2011, The Home Depot Foundation has invested more than $105 million to provide safe housing to veterans, and along with the help of Team Depot volunteers, has transformed more than 22,000 homes for veterans in the United States.
“Without the multi-level support of The Home Depot Foundation, our organization simply could not make the impact we do with critical home repairs for Atlanta-area veterans in need,” said Debra Furtado, CEO of Senior Connections. “These veterans would have had no other alternative for their home repair needs, but with the help of Team Depot volunteers, we’ve been able to make a tangible difference in their lives. The Foundation’s additional $5 million commitment will enable us to continue addressing veteran housing needs in Atlanta for years to come.”
The Home Depot Foundation partners with nonprofit organizations to serve veterans who need assistance with housing. Veterans interested in receiving assistance are encouraged to reach out to the partner nonprofits directly.
About Giving Back at The Home Depot
Since the first Home Depot store opened in 1979, giving back has been a core value for the company and a passion for its associates. Today, The Home Depot, in partnership with The Home Depot Foundation, 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. Through Team Depot, the company’s associate-led volunteer force, thousands of associates dedicate their time and talents to these efforts in the communities where they live and work.
Since 2011, The Home Depot Foundation has invested more than $105 million to provide safe housing to veterans, and along with the help of Team Depot volunteers, has transformed more than 22,000 homes for veterans. To learn more and see Team Depot in action, visit www.homedepot.com/teamdepot.
