GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Purple Heart Homes, which provides free home renovations to qualified disabled veterans, is seeking referrals of Triad veterans who need home renovations.
Purple Heart Homes' local partners--the Crescent Rotary Club, Wet 'N Wild, Home Depot, TIMCO and WFMY News 2--assisted wounded Afghanistan veteran, Sergeant Nathan Harris, last year by renovating a home for him in Greensboro.
Wednesday, the partners are helping a WWII veteran and his wife repair their leaky roof. Norman Simmons served in the U.S. Army in World War II and went on the WFMY News 2-sponsored D-Day Honor Trip last month to Bedford, V.a.
Simmons's wife, Shirley, reached out to Crescent Rotary Club's Brian Sowers, after seeing WFMY News 2 stories about the D-Day Honor Trip and about Wet 'N Wild's Purple Heart Homes Fundraiser, from which the organization received $7,500.
Sowers said Simmons and his wife met the requirements for a home renovation, and the organization partners were glad to help the couple.
"It's a blessing. A blessing," said Shirley Simmons, who explained her roof has been leaking very badly.
Norman Simmons said he already has replaced his roof once but used the wrong nails. So, he said it has required a lot of maintenance--much of which he no longer can do, because of his age.
Sowers said Purple Heart Homes is seeking more Triad veterans who need assistance with home renovations. He said qualifications include a veteran's physical or mental disability and a need for a home renovation. He said veterans do not need to have obtained Purple Hearts. They also do not necessarily need to be within a certain income bracket, though that is a factor that will be taken into account during the interview process.
To refer a veteran for a home renovation, e-mail Brian Sowers at golfman.sowers@gmail.com. Write: "Purple Heart Homes Renovation Referral" in the subject line.
Watch WFMY News 2's Good Morning Show Wednesday for an inside look at the Purple Heart Homes qualifications and existing projects.
Related story: Quilts for a Hero: Act of Compassion for Local Veteran
