Although my children nor myself are veterans, I volunteer as a fundraiser for Homes For Our Troops. Unknown to most Americans, the US government gives a one-time-only grant of less than $64,000 to wounded soldiers to make their homes handicap accessible. With the advances in modern medicine, men who used to die on the battlefield now survive, but with almost unspeakable disabilities. Some have lost their arms up to their shoulders, or have lost 3 out of 4 limbs, or are totally paralyzed. Many who have these severe wounds have also lost their eyesight and have brain trauma. $64,000 doesn’t even begin to adapt a house to accommodate the things that these men need. It will hardly cover a wheelchair ramp and widen a couple of doorways.
Homes for Our Troops builds severely wounded Military personnel an entire custom handicap house at no cost to the soldier. However, it is up to citizens like you and I to raise the cost of one of these houses, which is over $300,000 without the land. I run an annual Beautiful Baby Photo Contest and donate 100% of the money raised to HFOT and I am hoping that you, your business or union, or any club or organization you belong to can help me in my quest to get one more young soldier off the waiting list for one of these handicap homes. HFOT has been given 4-Stars, the highest rating by Charity Navigator, a watchdog group who makes sure that money given to charity reaches the intended goal, and not pay exorbitant salaries or for posh corporate offices.
There is currently a Silent Auction of autographed sports memorabilia and a couple of video game items from Bethesda/Skyrim Video Game Studios at the Sports Authority Danbury Store. Not only is 100% of money raised is going to Homes for Our Troops, the winning bids are tax deductible if paid by check.
The Silent Auction will end at The sports Authority at 6 PM on Saturday, August 25th. the items will then travel to 1st & 10 Sprts Bar and Grill in New Milford for its final hours 7 - 10 PM
