Georgia Magazine - November 2024 - 22

A MODEL PROGRAM
On July 27, 2000-shortly after House of Heroes
was founded-U.S. Rep. Mac Collins introduced House
Concurrent Resolution 385, which commended the
organization's work and called for it to " serve as a public
service model for communities across the United States
effectively to provide needed assistance and support for
veterans who so bravely served their communities and
their country. "
In expressing his support for the resolution in the
U.S. Senate on Oct. 6, 2000, Sen. Max Cleland praised
House of Heroes and the " volunteers [who] take up shovels,
paintbrushes and brooms to show not only our veterans
but also their families that they are not forgotten.
" ... [The inaugural renovation project in May 2000] is
only the beginning for the House of Heroes program, as
communities across the nation will begin to undertake their
own House of Heroes programs modeled after the great
program that the fine people of Columbus started. "
H
Susan Wood of the HOH Columbus/Chattahoochee Valley Chapter
and volunteers from Overflo Outreach Ministries in Columbus present
a flag to the family of the late Command Sgt. Maj. Ralph Jackson.
says of the work done by HOH volunteers at his Pine Mountain
Valley home.
A group of volunteers from the River of Life Church in
A heart for the community
The volunteers come from churches or communityinvolved
companies or are individuals who can spend a
few hours on a small project. About 45,000 people have
volunteered nationwide, with about 30,000 of those working
with the Columbus chapter.
A volunteer group from Synovus, a Columbus-based
financial services company, worked on painting and repairing
soffits at Matthews' house in May. The day was meaningful for
the employees who participated.
" I enjoy bringing a little joy to people who have sacrificed
for our country, " volunteer Andrew Arnett says.
Another Synovus volunteer, Eve Davis, notes that her
grandfather served in the military and says, " It's the least we
could do to help [veterans]. "
Brian Abeyta of the Synovus volunteer team says he is glad
that he works for a company that " realizes community needs "
but adds that he is concerned that the number of deserving
veterans exceeds the help available.
Wood says that is the challenge: finding enough volunteers
and raising enough money to meet the needs. The organization
always is looking for that support.
" When you hear of a vet who has a roof with rain pouring
in, and you don't have anyone to fix it and no money to repair it,
it makes your heart feel terrible, " she says.
H
Grateful veterans
To get on the waiting list for home repairs, veterans, public
safety officers or their spouses must have paperwork showing
their service and must live in and own their homes. The national
waiting list averages 160 requests.
" It's absolutely been a godsend, " Sgt. (retired) Basil Garcia
22 Georgia Magazine November 2024
Hamilton built a wheelchair ramp and, after seeing a hole in the
deck, repaired that as well.
Garcia and his wife, Maria, served in Operation Desert
Storm, where they met. They heard about HOH from a friend.
" What I like about this organization is you can see what
they are doing for somebody ... not just telling you what they are
doing, " Maria Garcia says.
Volunteers say the veterans are humble about their military
service, and some are moved by the flag presentation ceremony
at the completion of the work.
After they refurbished the front of Sgt. 1st Class (retired)
James Miller's home in Savannah, volunteers replaced and raised
a new flag, much to the veteran's delight.
Miller, who did two tours in Vietnam, has been active in
several veterans groups in Savannah, but he says they don't
provide the kind of hands-on assistance that House of Heroes
does.
" They made [the house] look new, " he says. " I was surprised. "
Will Grant was among the volunteers painting in the hot
Georgia sun in Columbus in May. To him, the motivation for
participating in the project is simple.
" It is all about helping people, and you have to give back if
you are fortunate enough to have resources, " he says.
Borden Black is a freelance writer based in Columbus.
For more information
If you are a veteran or public safety officer who needs
assistance, if you wish to volunteer, if your company wants to
be involved or if you want to start a House of Heroes chapter,
contact Susan Wood at susanw@hohcvc.org or (706) 569-7011.
Learn more at houseofheroescvc.org or follow HOH on
Facebook at fb.com/houseofheroescvc or Instagram at
instagram.com/houseofheroescvc.
COURTESY HOH COLUMBUS/CHATTAHOOCHEE VALLEY CHAPTER
http://www.houseofheroescvc.org http://www.fb.com/houseofheroescvc http://www.instagram.com/houseofheroescvc
Georgia Magazine - November 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Georgia Magazine - November 2024
