A Veteran & Single Father Is Lifted on This National Day of Service

On this day 14 years ago, terrorists carried out a series of horrific attacks on this country. Their stated goal was to topple our country. They did have an impact on how our country operates, but in one area, they totally failed; instead of disheartening our citizens, they inspired them to serve.

September 11th is celebrated as a National Day of Service where volunteers go out into the community and serve others in memory of those who died in the attacks, and all those who have served this country since that day. Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity (TCHFH) volunteers celebrate the day by building or repairing homes around the metro area, especially focusing on the homes of veterans.

In Crystal, MN today, a dozen volunteers from APi Group, Inc. are performing much needed repairs on the home of U.S. Army veteran Jason Jones. Jason, 33, is a single father raising his son in the home. In addition, Jason has opened his home to his two younger brothers, one of whom is a veteran suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD. 

Jason is working hard to improve the future for his son by going to college, but that left little time, and no money, to do badly needed repairs to his home. Friends suggested he contact Habitat's A Brush With Kindness program (ABWK) to get help. After hearing Jason's story, it didn't take long for ABWK staff to jump into action. By the time we are done, Jason's home will have a new roof, new gable treatments, repaired trim and siding, and a fresh coat of paint over everything except the existing vinyl siding on the home.

APi volunteers yesterday took the initiative to add one other thing to the project—when they got to the home they didn't like the look of the ratty garage door so they called Twin City Garage Door Company and asked them to donate a new garage door. Thanks to APi's long-time relationship with Twin City Garage, they succeeded in getting the door donated.

For several years APi has encouraged its employees to volunteer on homebuilding and home repair projects with TCHFH, but at a holiday party last year the company leadership was inspired to donate an additional $25,000 to fund Habitat repair projects. Their generous donation, when combined with a grant from the Home Depot Foundation supporting our Veteran's Initiative, will enable Habitat to dive deeper and expand what we are able to do help even more veterans' families.

We can never forget what happened on 9/11, but when you experience the generosity of companies and volunteers on this National Day of Service, it gets easier and easier to think of 9/11 as a day to celebrate the best in our country and people.

If you would like to learn more about how your company can help veterans, and other families who need help to maintain their homes, or the opportunity to experience the powerful impacts of homeownership, please contact us and help make the Twin Cities an even better place to live.