Сотрудники Home Depot за три дня отремонтировали дом 76-летней ветеранки

Managers and staff of Summerville’s Home Depot spent three days last month rebuilding the back deck of a 76-year-old female Marine veteran. The work at Vernell Dunmeyer's North Charleston home was made possible through a partnership between Home Depot and Warriors Haven, a local nonprofit serving veterans experiencing homelessness. The nonprofit’s founders, Bill and Julie Neira, approached the hardware store about helping make Dunmeyer’s home feel safe and functional again. The Neiras met Dunmeyer in April. Over the last few months, they have helped her gain access to benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Dunmeyer, who lives alone, had gone more than a decade without working kitchen appliances. Home Depot donated materials for the replacement of her countertops, backsplash tiling and all appliances, with Craig Vanderbilt of Grace Home Customs helping with the renovations. Since April, Dunmeyer’s bathroom has also been remodeled and both her front and back decks repaired. She can now safely navigate her home and use working appliances. Before connecting with Warriors Haven, Dunmeyer’s niece, Ruhamah Dunmeyer-Grooms, said the family spent years searching for a reliable contractor to repair her aunt’s home and lost money on deposits to contractors who never showed up. Dunmeyer purchased the home in 2000. Earlier this year, she fell in her bathroom and stayed at Dunmeyer-Grooms’ house for a few days but was eager to get back to gardening. “She takes pride in her home and yard,” Ruhamah said. Warriors Haven created an initiative called Restoring Hope specifically for veterans who are not unhoused but face other challenges, such as a lack of transportation to appointments or financial limitations for home repairs. The program allowed the nonprofit to advocate on Dunmeyer’s behalf and secure support of local businesses. Fourteen people worked on the deck repair, including store associates, managers and District Leader Chadd Algere. Some had previous construction experience, while others just wanted to help. Bin There, Dump That, a local dumpster service, donated trash and debris removal free of charge. Rich Buskirk, who handles order and fulfillment at Home Depot, said the long hours in the heat were worth it to see Dunmeyer so happy. “We’re put on earth to serve,” he shared. Nick Owens, a specialty assistant store manager at Home Depot, said the company was happy to partner with Warriors Haven and hopes to do more together in the future. “We love giving back to the community,” said Owens. “Everything’s about customer service. Without customers, we don’t open our doors. But it has to bleed out into the community. … We want them to know that we’re here for them.” The Neiras were overwhelmed by the generosity shown and were excited to see this project come to completion. “The fact that they’re taking time out of their day to help a veteran and help us, you know, that speaks volumes,” said Bill. Dunmeyer was not feeling well on the final day of the deck repair and was unavailable for comment, but both her niece and the Neiras said she expressed deep gratitude for the help. “She believes we were led to her,” said Julie. “She’s never alone…this is restoring hope.”