THE HOME DEPOT & THE HOME DEPOT FOUNDATION CELEBRATE U.S. VETERANS; $10 MILLION DONATED AND 320 VOLUNTEER PROJECTS COMPLETED
Almost 10,000 Volunteers from The Home Depot and The Mission Continues Repair and Rehab Veterans’ Homes and Facilities
ATLANTA (November 9, 2011) – Since September 11, The Home Depot®, The Home Depot Foundation and Team Depot, the Company’s associate-led volunteer force, have been on a nationwide campaign to celebrate the service and sacrifice of U.S. military veterans and their families. The “Celebration of Service” initiative officially concludes on Veterans Day, November 11 with volunteers completing 320 projects to repair and renovate veterans’ homes and facilities in partnership with The Mission Continues. In addition, The Home Depot Foundation donated more than $10 million in cash and products to nonprofits addressing the housing challenges of veterans.
The Company’s customers have also participated by purchasing almost 35,000 Celebration of Service gift cards, with 5 percent of the proceeds, or $240,000, going directly to The Home Depot Foundation to support more veterans’ initiatives. Celebration of Service gift cards will be available for purchase online or in stores through November 11.
During the week leading up to Veterans Day, Team Depot will continue working on many projects around the country, including repairing and beautifying Veterans Memorial Maywood Park near Chicago; planting sod for a 21,000 square-foot grassed therapeutic riding area for Ivey Ranch Park’s Horses for Heroes, a therapeutic riding program for wounded military service personnel and veterans in San Diego; and installing new, energy efficient windows and patio doors for an 87-year-old disabled veteran in Connecticut.
“Our nation’s veterans and their families have made great sacrifices for our country, and it is an honor for us to serve them,” said Frank Blake, chairman and CEO, The Home Depot. “I want to thank all of our associates who volunteered their time and talents to make an impact on the housing needs of veterans.”
In addition to hands on volunteer projects, The Home Depot Foundation also has made more than $9 million in cash awards during Celebration of Service to 28 nonprofits that address the housing needs of veterans. From Operation Homefront and Volunteers of America to U.S.VETS and Habitat for Humanity International, the Foundation is investing in nonprofits that directly change the lives and circumstances of veterans and their families. Through Team Depot, the Company’s associates will continue to help these grantees as well as many others as they work to serve as many veterans as they can.
“While our 2011 Celebration of Service campaign has concluded, The Home Depot Foundation and Team Depot will continue on our mission to ensure that every veteran has a safe place to call home,” said Kelly Caffarelli, president, The Home Depot Foundation. “According to a new report released in October by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, statistics show that many veterans face severe housing needs, including homelessness, due to injuries suffered in combat, economic pressures and difficulties transitioning from military to civilian life. We have seen these issues in an up close and personal way over the past two months, and we are more committed than ever to serve those who have served us all.”
In addition to helping veterans, The Home Depot Foundation has also partnered with The Mission Continues to engage veterans in volunteer projects to utilize and highlight their unique leadership and planning skills.
“Veterans are often told ‘thank you’ when they return home from service, but they also need to hear ‘we still need you,’” said Eric Greitens, Navy SEAL and CEO of The Mission Continues. “Our partnership with The Home Depot Foundation helps us to inspire this generation of veterans to continue their lifelong mission of service in their own communities.”
Celebration of Service Highlights:
- 320 service projects completed by 8,870 volunteers: In partnership with The Mission Continues, thousands of The Home Depot associates, veterans and active duty service members have volunteered to repair and renovate homes, facilities and community centers where veterans and their families live and receive services.
- $9 million in grants: Each week since September 11, The Home Depot Foundation has announced grants totaling $9 million to nonprofits who serve veterans.
- Five Percent of Celebration of Service Gift Card Sales: 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. As of today, customers have purchased almost 35,000 gift cards. These gift cards will be available through November 11 and may be purchased in stores or online at www.homedepot.com.
- 3 Doors Down: Multi-platinum rock band 3 Doors Down’s new CD “Time of My Life” is available for purchase on www.homedepot.com, and $1 of the sale of each CD 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 @homedepotfdn,
and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/homedepotfoundation.
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Media Contact
Catherine Woodling
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Catherine_Woodling@HomeDepot.com
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