The Home Depot Foundation Announces $1.5 Million in New Grants to Nonprofits Serving Veterans

(3BL Media / theCSRfeed) Atlanta, GA - October 3, 2011 - As part of its “Celebration of Service” initiative to honor U.S. military veterans, The Home Depot® Foundation today announced $1.55 million in grants to nonprofits dedicated to addressing the critical housing needs of U.S. military veterans.  Today’s grant recipients assist more than 8,000 veterans on an annual basis with housing and other supportive services.  Volunteers of America (VOA) is receiving a grant to fund programs at 11 locations nationwide; and Veterans’ Homestead and Affordable Housing and Services Collaborative are receiving funding to serve veterans in Massachusetts and throughout the New England area. In addition to receiving funding, each nonprofit will also be supported by Team Depot, the Company’s associate-led volunteer force.

Each Monday between September 11 and Veterans Day (November 11), The Home Depot Foundation is announcing approximately $1 million in grants to veterans’ initiatives for a total of $9.1 million.  Grants announced during “Celebration of Service” are part of The Home Depot Foundation’s commitment of $30 million over three years to veterans’ housing needs.  Learn more about the grants announced thus far. 

“The Home Depot Foundation is committed to ensuring that every veteran has a safe place to call home, and the high quality services provided by nonprofits are essential to fulfilling that goal,” said Kelly Caffarelli, president, The Home Depot Foundation. “We are extremely impressed with the ability of VOA, Veterans’ Homestead and Affordable Housing Services to change and improve the lives of those who have served our country, and we hope that our funding and volunteer assistance will allow them to assist more veterans and their families every year.”  

In addition to receiving funding, each nonprofit will also be supported by Team Depot, the Company’s associate-led volunteer force:

Volunteers of America, $750,000, Locations Nationwide

Founded it 1896, Volunteers of America (www.voa.org) is a national, nonprofit, faith-based organization dedicated to helping those in need live healthy, safe and productive lives. VOA is one of the nation’s largest nonprofits addressing veterans’ needs.   Nationally, it serves more than 7,700 homeless veterans each year through 35 programs in 15 states. Grant support from The Home Depot Foundation will be used to:

• Renovate existing apartments and houses at 11 VOA sites throughout the country.  The renovations will provide new transitional housing for 242 veterans and eight single-family homes for lease or lease-purchase by veterans. Projects are located in Mobile, Ala.; Jacksonville, Fl; Fort Wayne, Ind.; Louisville, Ky.; Baton Rouge, La.; New Orleans, La; Shreveport, La.; Niles, Mich.; Sioux Falls, S.D.; and Spokane, Wash.

• Team Depot volunteers have already made a difference at VOA homeless veteran housing sites across the country. Recent volunteer activities have taken place in Los Angeles and Cleveland, and another event is planned soon in Detroit.

Volunteers of America Florida, $250,000

VOA Florida (www.voa-fla.org) is an affiliate of the national VOA organization providing housing and supportive services to homeless veterans in nine Florida cities.  The Home Depot Foundation is piloting a mobile service van initiative with VOA Florida.  Grant support will be used to:

• Provide necessary home repairs and modifications for disabled and elderly veterans, who will be referred by Veterans’ Administration home healthcare providers. 

• Equip a repair truck, pay for a full-time repair expert, as well as provide job experience for veterans in a job training program.

• Provide opportunities for Team Depot volunteers to assist with the projects.

Veterans’ Homestead, Inc., $300,000, New England Area and Puerto Rico

The mission of Veterans’ Homestead (www.veteranhomestead.org/) is to provide medical, psychological, and spiritual care to veterans who are elderly, disabled, diagnosed with a terminal illness or otherwise in need.  The nonprofit provides these services in six facilities throughout New England and in Puerto Rico.  Grand support from The Home Depot Foundation will be used to:

• Complete work on 10 handicapped accessible duplexes at the Northeast Veteran Training and Rehabilitation Center.  This facility serves veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with traumatic injuries, such as amputations, brain injuries, PTSD and severe burns.

• Team Depot will make interior improvements and undertake landscaping projects at four properties.

The Affordable Housing and Services Collaborative, $250,000 Boston, MA

The Affordable Housing and Services Collaborative provides supportive services and programs to enhance the quality of life of residents and preserve affordable housing.  Grant support from The Home Depot Foundation will be used to:

• Rehabilitate a vacant 4-story historical brick building to provide 32 small apartments for homeless single veterans as well as a house manager from the Veterans’ Administration.

• Team Depot volunteers will work on interior/exterior painting and landscaping. 

ABOUT CELEBRATION OF SERVICE

“Celebration of Service” is a major campaign by The Home Depot and The Home Depot Foundation to enhance the lives of U.S. military veterans and to highlight the needs and opportunities they face.  The campaign includes:

• 200 service projects: In partnership with The Mission Continues, The Home Depot associate-volunteers will be completing 200 service projects directly aimed at improving homes, facilities and community centers where veterans and their families live and receive services. 

• $9 million in grants:  Each Monday between September 11 and November 11, The Home Depot Foundation will announce grants of approximately $1 million to nonprofits dedicated to veterans’ housing issues

• A gift card that gives back:  When customers purchase this specially-themed Home Depot gift card during Celebration of Service, five percent of the value placed on the card will go to The Home Depot Foundation to support nonprofits dedicated to veterans’ housing needs.  Gift cards may be purchased in our stores or online at www.homedepot.com.

• 3 Doors Down:  During Celebration of Service, when you buy multi-platinum rock band 3 Doors Down’s new CD “Time of My Life” from www.homedepot.com, $1 of the sale will go directly to support The Home Depot Foundation’s veterans’ housing initiatives.  The music of 3 Doors Down has inspired and comforted veterans, active duty troops and their families for many years

To learn more about The Home Depot Foundation’s commitment to veterans and “Celebration of Service” campaign, please visit www.homedepotfoundation.org

ABOUT THE HOME DEPOT FOUNDATION
The Home Depot Foundation is committed to ensuring that every U.S. military veteran has a safe place to call home.  In April 2011, the Foundation pledged a three-year, $30 million initiative to address veterans’ critical housing needs.

Since its formation in 2002, The Home Depot Foundation has granted more than $270 million to nonprofit organizations improving homes and lives in local communities.  To learn more and see our associates in action, visit www.homedepotfoundation.org, follow us on Twitter, and like us on Facebook.

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