Home Depot donates time and money

On May 18, 25 Home Depot employees from the Castleton store donated time and manpower on their day off to freshen up the Keltner property. Supporting Home Depot’s Do More for Veterans initiative, the employees used their expertise to improve the livelihood of the three veterans currently residing in the Keltner House.

The Keltner House was donated to HVAF in December 2009. It is one of three HVAF properties that is not covered by outside grants, and because the house is funded only by general donations, extra funds are necessary to pay for repairs. Because the Keltner House needed some general maintenance, the Home Depot Foundation approved a grant for $3,700 to pay for the materials necessary for the updates and repairs.

During their time at the Keltner House, the Home Depot employees painted the interior of the house, installed blinds and cleaned up the landscaping on the property. They also renovated the bathroom.

“This place got a major facelift thanks to Home Depot and these volunteers,” Keltner resident and veteran Tim said.

Home Depot has been a faithful partner to HVAF through the years, and this day dedicated to improving the home of HVAF veterans serves as one example of the lasting impact the organization has had on homeless veterans.

“It’s part of our corporate value to give back to the community,” store manager Matt Rice said. “A lot of us have veterans in our families and have been touched by the sacrifice of veterans, and we think this is a great way to serve them.”

The Home Depot Foundation provides veterans a breath of fresh air

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.

Volunteers renovate home for six veterans

On February 25, thirty Team Depot volunteers renovated HVAF's Lyter House, a transitional home for six veterans. Volunteers installed flooring, cabinets, countertops and appliances as well as painted several rooms. The new floor plan of the kitchen makes the space more usable.

 

HVAF houses more than 200 homeless veterans and the Lyter House is one of fifteen properties. The renovation work is part of a $10,500 grant from the Home Depot.

The floor plan of the kitchen is going to be changed to make it more usable. Today, HVAF houses more than 200 homeless veterans in 15 properties scattered throughout Indianapolis.

Chris M., 55, an Air Force veteran said he was thrilled when he found. "It's been such a long road from homelessness to housing, it's unbelievable," Chris said. I came down from Terre Haute and had to leave my family to find work and got stranded down here and that led to being homeless.”

Chris is feeling better than ever and is optimistic about his future and focusing on a job search now that he has a roof over his head.

The effort is part of Home Depot's commitment to veterans with a focus on fixing up the homes of veterans across the country.

Media from four local Television news outlets along with the Indianapolis Star covered the story.

Volunteers with Home Depot lend a helping hand at HVAF

Team Depot at HVAF

Clad in orange T-shirts 112 volunteers from Home Depot gave up a day off in July to honor veterans at HVAF of Indiana. The group completed a major renovation project and installed backsplashes in each kitchen at Manchester Apartments. The 51-room apartment building, which is one of two of HVAF co-ed properties, was in need of updating.

Not only did the Home Depot employees give up a day off from work to volunteer at HVAF of Indiana, the company also funded the project. This project was part of a 10-thousand dollar grant in which the Home Depot provided all the materials and labor.

“One of the ways that we live our core values at Home Depot is giving back to the community,” says Tony Davis, Specialty Assistant Store Manager (store #2014). “Being a veteran of the US Army gives me a sense of pride to represent those who have served our country."

“Home Depot has committed $80 million to address the problem of veteran homelessness, to be spent over the next three years,” says Home Depot District Manager Bob Blake. “We are happy to be at HVAF where work is needed to be done to improve the quality of life for these veterans.”