Press/Media

Media Contact

Lake Carolina
300 Long Pointe Lane, Suite 200
Columbia, SC 29229
Phone: 803-736-5253

Homes for Our Troops to Host Columbia, S.C. Three-Day Build Brigade to Start New Home for Severely Injured Veteran
Feb 04, 2011

Community of Columbia and general contractor Hallmark Homes come together to donate time and resources for new home.  Homes for Our Troops will host a three-day Build Brigade February 11-13 to construct a specially adapted home for Army SSG Ronell Bradley in Columbia, South Carolina.

On his third deployment in September 2005, SSG Ronell Bradley lost both his legs and suffered severe hand injuries when his vehicle ran over an IED in Baghdad, Iraq.  The impact of the blast instantly severed his right leg, severely injured his left leg, and caused SSG Bradley's weapon to explode in his hand, resulting in the loss of his right thumb and palm. SSG Bradley has spent several years in physical therapy since his injury and now serves as Assistant Chief of Prosthetics in the Department of Veterans Affairs in Columbia, S.C.

The Homes for Our Troops Build Brigade begins with a ceremony Friday, February 11 at 8:30 a.m. The entire community of Columbia is invited to attend and kick-off the weekend's efforts to build a brand new home for Ronell. The goal of the three-day Build Brigade is to frame, side, and roof the house and install windows and doors. The build begins with raising the home's first wall on Friday morning. Following the Build Brigade, interior and finishing work will be completed over the next few months.

The injuries to his legs and hand cause Ronell to rely on his wife Cynthia and stepsons to help him move around their current home in Evans, Ga. The new specially adapted home will feature large door openings and wide hallways, hard surfaced floors, a master bath with large roll-in shower, and much more. These features will allow Ronell to move around the house more independently and do basic activities around the house such as cooking and bathing.

"Our current home is two stories and not very handicapped accessible. I am looking forward to the independence this home will bring me and my family," said SSG Bradley.

The home will be presented at no cost to SSG Bradley and his family thanks to the generous support from Homes for Our Troops, general contractor Hallmark Homes, professional tradespeople, countless volunteers, thousands of donations from numerous individuals, and the community of Columbia.

WHO: Army SSG Ronell Bradley, severely injured after an IED exploded in Baghdad, Iraq. Full bio available here.

WHEN: Build Brigade Kick-Off Ceremony: 8:30 a.m., Friday, February 11, 2011

Construction continues Saturday and Sunday, February 12 and 13, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

WHERE: 227 Peninsula Way, Lake Carolina, Columbia, S.C. 29229

Media Note: To attend the Build Brigade Kick-Off, visit the construction site, and/or request interviews with SSG Ronell Bradley or Larry Gill, please contact Pearson Moore at 202.414.0799 or by email at [email protected]

Homes for Our Troops got its start in 2004 when John Gonsalves, a construction supervisor from Raynham, Mass., saw a news story about a soldier who lost both of his legs to a roadside bomb in Iraq. The soldier's story motivated John to look for a way to volunteer his time and expertise to ensuring severely injured veterans returned to homes that were designed to accommodate their new challenges. Dismayed when he could not find an organization supporting such a mission, John founded Homes for Our Troops, and dedicated his life to restoring independence to severely disabled veterans. Homes for Our Troops has built homes in more than 30 states and continues to expand its reach.

During Veterans Week 2010, Homes for Our Troops launched the 100 More...Homes for Our Troops campaign. A backlog of severely injured veterans is currently awaiting homes, and the number of eligible applicants continues to grow. With America's support, Homes for Our Troops can build specially adapted homes for them all. Homes for Our Troops is completing the first 100 homes, and challenging Americans to provide the support needed to build the next 100 in record time.

Homes for Our Troops projects are made possible with support from generous individuals, foundations and corporate contributors like Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund, Mastic Home Exteriors, DaVinci Roofscapes, Fypon Inc, Hy-Lite/US Glass Block, Phil Mickelson's Birdies for the Brave, PGA Tour Charities, Singer Billy Joel, the Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins Community Foundation and SeeHere.com
 
Fujifilm's online photo printing, sharing, storage and gifting website. Homes for Our Troops is proud to be listed in the American Institute of Philanthropy's top rated Veterans & Military Charities where it enjoys an A rating. It has received a Four Star Rating from Charity Navigator. Homes for Our Troops is a member of the National Association of Home Builders and the U.S. Green Building Council.

About Homes for Our Troops: Homes for Our Troops is a national non-profit 501c 3 organization based in Taunton, Mass. founded by John Gonsalves in 2004 (www.homesforourtroops.org). Homes for Our Troops mission is to build specially adapted homes for service members who have been severely injured in combat operations since September 11, 2001. All specially adapted homes are built at no cost to the veteran thanks to donations from thousands of individuals, foundation grants, corporate sponsors, professional tradespeople and generous support from countless volunteers.

Local Contact: Julia Burley
803.414.3013
[email protected]                                                                        

Homes for our Troops Contact: Pearson Moore
202.414.0799
[email protected]

« Back