*This post is in partnership with The Home Depot Foundation.
This past weekend, Adam and I traveled to Georgia to spend Veterans Day weekend with The Home Depot Foundation. You might recall our involvement with their Celebrations of Service Kickoff Event a couple of years ago. We were thrilled and honored to attend this Veterans Day event at The Home Depot Headquarters in Atlanta. The Home Depot Foundation works to improve the homes and lives of U.S. veterans, train skilled tradespeople to fill the labor gap and support communities impacted by natural disasters. Since 2011, the Foundation has invested more than $315 million in veteran causes and improved more than 45,000 veteran homes and facilities in 4,300 cities. Last year, the Foundation pledged an additional $250 million to veteran causes taking the total commitment to half a billion by 2025.
As a military family, this cause is very near and dear to our hearts. My grandfather was in the Navy and my dad and brother retired from the Air Force. Even still, I never expected to marry right back into the military. Adam is about 6 years away from being eligible for retirement and my brother-in-law is currently serving in the Army. Though military life has its share of challenges and sacrifices, it’s the only life I’ve ever known and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
For this Veterans Day event, there was a sea of Home Depot volunteers ready to tackle a slew of DIY projects. From making blankets to assembling bikes, it was incredible to see hundreds of people working together towards a unified cause. Some built tables while others assembled bicycles for veteran families.
We were on the team that built dog beds for the dogs at The Top Dogg K9 Foundation, an organization that provides service dogs and companions to veterans and wounded warriors who suffer from PTS and TBI. We were joined by fellow blogger, Lauren Shaver from Blesser House. Lauren’s husband Rob served in the US Marines! The four of us had a ton of fun building together and talking shop. Bloggers and their military husbands – what could be more fun?!
This year’s theme was called #OperationSurprise and veterans were honored with life-changing moments. One veteran couple was given Zac Brown Band concert tickets, along with a backstage meet-and-greet, as well as upcoming home repairs. Another worthy veteran was given $25,000 in home renovations. Jimmy Fallon surprised her by announcing that The Home Depot Foundation DOUBLED their initial gift – she was given $50,000 in home repairs! How incredible is that?!
Watch this heartwarming video as Jimmy Fallon surprises this Air Force veteran:
WANT TO GET INVOLVED? HERE’S HOW!
The Home Depot Foundation is inviting Home Depot customers to participate in a variety of projects and initiatives across the country through their call-to-action: “Choose To Serve.” They are encouraging community members to give back through a number of ways. Visit The Home Depot Foundation Website to learn how to get involved.
#CHOOSETOSERVE
*I acknowledge that The Home Depot is partnering with me to participate in this Foundation Program (the “Program”). As a part of the Program, I am receiving compensation in the form of products and services, for the purpose of promoting The Home Depot. All expressed opinions and experiences are my own words. My post complies with the Word Of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA) Ethics Code and applicable Federal Trade Commission guidelines.
Fabulous information! Thank You!!