Home Repair For Chatham County Veterans
Chatham County Aging Services is pleased to announce that it has received a grant from Meals on Wheels America and The Home Depot Foundation through their joint initiative, Helping Homebound Heroes – a program that provides home repairs and modifications for aging veterans. The funding will support Chatham County Aging Services’ efforts to ensure that veteran clients have safe and accessible homes.
“We are honored to be part of this generous grant,” Chatham County Aging Services director Ashlyn Martin said. “This funding will make a profound impact on our veteran neighbors, whose courageous service to our nation deserves both our respect and gratitude. We are truly privileged to help them live safely in their homes.”
Since the partnership with Meals on Wheels America began in 2015, The Home Depot Foundation has contributed over $21 million and countless volunteer hours from Team Depot – The Home Depot’s associate volunteer force – to work alongside community-based Meals on Wheels programs on a wide range of home improvement projects, from converting showers and adding grab bars for bathroom accessibility, to repairing railings and constructing wheelchair ramps. Ninety percent of clients responding to follow up surveys reported that the home modification and repair services provided made them feel safer in their homes, while 93% said the services help them to continue living independently in their home. The construction work is performed by Preserving Home in partnership with Aging Services.
“Aging veterans who have given so much to us and our country deserve the opportunity to live more safely and independently in the comfort of their own homes,” said Ellie Hollander, President and CEO, Meals on Wheels America. “We are extremely grateful for The Home Depot Foundation’s long-standing commitment that helps local Meals on Wheels programs like Chatham County Aging Services provide more than just a meal to those in need.”
Meals on Wheels America is now entering its tenth year of the Helping Homebound Heroes program and has served over 3,500 veterans, with a continued goal to serve even more aging veterans nationwide. This year the program is expanding to 20 Meals on Wheels organizations in 14 states across the country.
