An Indianapolis veteran will be breathing a bit easier today thanks in part to
the Home Depot Foundation.
Daniel M., 56, struggled with breathing problems as a child. At 18, he was diagnosed with tuberculosis. But that didn’t stop him
from joining the Navy in 1976. He relied on breathing exercises to get him
through. However, once back home in Indianapolis he was met with persistent pain, shortness of breath and burning lungs. He was unemployed and depressed. In July 2014, Daniel
became homeless and called the Hoosier Veterans Assistance Foundation (HVAF)
for help with housing.
Daniel is among 38 veterans living at the Moreau House, one of 13 transitional housing properties
for homeless veterans operated HVAF. In October,
the Moreau House was renovated as part of a $100,000 grant by The Home Depot
Foundation.
The grant
enabled HVAF to replace single pane windows that did not open easily with energy-efficient
double vinyl windows as well as
supplied new siding, gutters and down spouts. The project
also allowed HVAF to replace the property’s 25-year-old roof.
This has benefited Daniel
greatly. The fresh air helps Daniel and he can now open the windows with
ease.
The Navy
veteran
took a deep breath as he fought back tears recalling what The Home Depot Foundation
has done for veterans.
“It’s
emotional,” he said. “All of us veterans at HVAF are like family and it helps a
lot just knowing that organizations, like the Home Depot Foundation, are there
to help. Home Depot jumped in and it has been amazing.”
Giving back to veterans is
personal to The Home Depot, as more than 35,000 of the company’s associates
have served in the military. Daniel says the renovations has improved his quality of life.
