Articles

Project to aid area veteran

The Carlisle Sentinel

by Ben Barron

Deadline Sept. 3 to apply for home improvement

A veteran who lives in Cumberland, Perry or Dauphin Counties will receive recognition and home improvements on Veterans Day – Nov 11 – as a tribute to those who have served in the nation’s Armed Forces.

“Operation Hearts and Hammers,” created by the Remodeler’s Council of the Home Builders Association of Metropolitan Harrisburg, will do a one-day project for an area veteran chosen by a panel from applications submitted by Sept. 3. Council members and their suppliers will provide design work and labor.

Judges include Tom Wasco, Dauphin County director of Veteran’s Affairs, and John Neeves, Pennsylvania State Department adjutant of the Disabled American Veterans. The council is coordinating the project with the DAV and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Remodelers Council Chairman Christian Malesic says the council annually seeks to coordinate two or three community service projects with at least one focusing on a group, such as the elderly or handicapped.

He said veterans were the first group to come to mind this year when members discussed ideas for their final, largest community project. Since a number of members are veterans, including Malesic, that helped finalize the decision.

“Veterans are very special citizens in our community,” says Malesic.

“They are a constant reminder of the price that has been paid for all of us.”

The council is sending applications to all veterans groups in the three counties.

Nominations also can be made by contacting the Home Builders Association at (717) 232-5595.