As part of its “Celebration of Service” initiative to honor U.S. military veterans, The Home Depot® Foundation today announced a $50,000 grant to Volunteers of America North Louisiana to address the critical housing needs of U.S. military veterans. 

With this money, the two-year old Veterans Transitional Living Facility plans to install a new irrigation system for the veteran’s garden, refurbish the landscaping and install new energy efficient roofs for the two apartment buildings. It also plans to explore ways to improve energy efficiency of the main facility such as a solar panel system.   

“We are honored to be recognized by The Home Depot Foundation for our work with veterans,” said Chuck Meehan, President and CEO of Volunteers of America North Louisiana. “Their generosity will allow us to better serve the men who sacrificed so much for our country.

This grant is part of almost $750,000 in grants announced today for 11 Volunteers of America homeless veterans programs in 10 cities. These programs will provide new transitional housing for 242 veterans and eight single-family homes for lease or lease-purchase by veterans. 

The Shreveport program houses 56 veterans at a time for up to two years, providing them with shelter, food, employment assistance and any other tools they need to move to permanent housing. In the 2010-11 year, 101 veterans were served, and 33 moved to independence. Of those, 100 percent are still living on their own. 

Each Monday between September 11 and Veterans Day (November 11), The Home Depot Foundation will announce approximately $1 million in grants to veterans’ initiatives for a total of $9.1 million.  Grants announced during “Celebration of Service” are part of The Home Depot Foundation’s commitment of $30 million over three years to veterans’ housing needs.  

“The Home Depot Foundation is committed to ensuring that every veteran has a safe place to call home, and the services provided by Volunteers of America affiliates are essential to fulfilling that goal,” said Kelly Caffarelli, president, The Home Depot Foundation. “We are impressed by the quality of work being done by Volunteers of America North Louisiana, and we hope that our assistance will allow them to serve even more veterans and their families.”  

In addition to receiving funding, Volunteers of America affiliates will potentially be supported by Team Depot, the Company’s associate-led volunteer force. 

ABOUT CELEBRATION OF SERVICE

“Celebration of Service” is a major campaign by The Home Depot and The Home Depot Foundation to enhance the lives of U.S. military veterans and to highlight the needs and opportunities they face.  The campaign includes:

  • 200 service projects: In partnership with The Mission Continues, The Home Depot associate-volunteers will be completing 200 service projects directly aimed at improving homes, facilities and community centers where veterans and their families live and receive services. 
  • $9 million in grants:  Each Monday between September 11 and November 11, The Home Depot Foundation will announce grants of approximately $1 million to nonprofits dedicated to veterans’ housing issues
  • A gift card that gives back:  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.  Gift cards may be purchased in our stores or online at www.homedepot.com.
  • 3 Doors Down:  During Celebration of Service, when you buy multi-platinum rock band 3 Doors Down’s new CD “Time of My Life” from www.homedepot.com, $1 of the sale 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 VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA NORTH LOUISIANA

Founded in 1935, Volunteers of America of North Louisiana serves the needy and vulnerable in our community by promoting self-sufficiency. Our primary targets are children and families, people with disabilities, veterans and senior citizens. We operate more than 50 programs and serve 8,000 individuals annually.

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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