Hardwood Floors February/March 2017

Supporting Wounded Veterans One Floor at a Time (Continued)

That’s when I first got involved with the Gary Sinise Foundation.” Titus and Sheoga have since provided flooring for additional GSF specially adapted smart homes as well, including Marine Staff Sergeant Jason Ross in Fallbrook, California, Air Force Senior Airman Brian Kolfage in Sandestin, Florida and a home modification for Army Specialist Chris Sanna in House Springs, Missouri. Sheoga also has committed flooring for an additional GSF R.I.S.E. project for Army Captain Nick Vogt in Crestline, Ohio. But Titus’ commitment to the Gary Sinise Foundation did not stop there. In 2014, Titus approached NWFA President & CEO, Michael Martin, to inquire about NWFA’s support of the program. NWFA had participated in similar national programs previously, but was unable to maintain support of those programs due to the difficulty of scheduling projects using volunteers. “The problem we experienced in the past,” says Martin, “was that our volunteers would commit to a specific time for installation based on a tentative construction schedule. But as schedules were delayed at the last minute, as they often are with construction projects, our installers were unable to reschedule paying jobs. It created a real scheduling nightmare for us, and for our volunteers.” What makes GSF R.I.S.E. projects different is that all projects are coordinated through one general contractor, and all contractors

organization. “I’ve met some of the most extraordinary wounded veterans over the years and their resiliency inspires me each day,” says Sinise. “Some of these warriors are missing all four limbs, have suffered severe burns, or have traumatic brain injuries, and simple tasks are constant reminders of their new normal. I began raising money to build homes for these heroes and saw how much their lives were improved, having a home specifically designed for their needs. We are able to do this

Photo courtesy of Gary Sinise Foundation

all over the country, serving the needs of many of our wounded and their families because of the support of organizations like the NWFA.” By the end of 2016, 52 GSF R.I.S.E. specially adapted smart homes will have been completed or in various stages of construction throughout the United States. And of those 52 homes, NWFA and its members will have provided wood floors, logistics, and installation services for 30 of them. Army Private First Class Kyle Hockenberry was the first veteran to receive NWFA member-donated flooring in his GSF R.I.S.E. home. In 2011, at age 19, PFC Hockenberry lost both legs and his left arm in Afghanistan as the result of an IED blast. It was in 2013 that Middlefield, Ohio-based Sheoga Hardwood Flooring’s Vice President, Barbara

”I thank National Wood Flooring Association for stepping forward to serve those who have sacrificed so much protecting our freedom and way of life. You have shown, by your example, the corporate responsibility of service and giving back, which will surely inspire others in the corporate community, as it is so important that our defenders know there is a grateful nation standing behind them.” – Gary Sinise

Titus, first learned that money was being raised to build his specially adapted smart home in Marietta, Ohio. She knew she had to get involved. “Because Kyle was a veteran from Ohio,” Titus says, “I wanted to ensure that he had wood flooring in his home provided by a local manufacturer and made by fellow Ohioans who recognized his sacrifice. Sheoga is headquartered nearby, and I knew I had to make this happen.

are paid for the work they do. “The contractors are then encouraged to donate back to the foundation whenever possible,” explains Martin. “What we find, though, is that most of our contractor volunteers do the work for free out of their admiration

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