LAKE VIEW TERRACE, Calif., Nov. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Rebuilding Together(R), the nation's largest volunteer home rehabilitation organization is providing modifications and repairs at the home of James Miner, a veteran of three military conflicts, through its Serving Those Who SERVE(SM) program today. Countrywide Financial Corporation(R), America's #1 home loan lender, has contributed $1 million as the founding sponsor of the nationwide program that provides free home modifications to severely-injured soldiers and veterans returning from Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Volunteers from Countrywide, Rebuilding Together and the California Conservation Corps are joining with Rebuilding Together's Southern California Coordinating Council, local contractors and vendors to assist Mr. Miner and his family.
"Serving Those Who Serve is pleased to be working with our Southern California affiliates to assist Mr. Miner," said Gary Officer, president and CEO of Rebuilding Together. "Veterans and soldiers like Mr. Miner have sacrificed so much for our country, and with our generous grant from Countrywide Financial Corporation, we will be able to make this house and many more homes safer and more accessible for those injured during service abroad."
Mr. Miner, a storekeeper first class in the U.S. Navy Reserves, serving as a senior "Seabee" in a fortified supply compound at the Iraq border, was responsible for conducting the transfer of sensitive communications equipment returned from in and around Baghdad. Mr. Miner was severely injured when he fell 30 feet from the top of a shipping container in June of 2003 during a sudden and blinding sand storm. The accident resulted in several injuries including paralysis to his left side; traumatic brain injury; cortical blindness; permanent hearing loss in his left ear; and memory loss.
"Countrywide is proud to be the founding sponsor of Serving Those Who Serve as the newest facet of our 10-years of commitment to Rebuilding Together," stated Mary Jane Seebach, Managing Director of Public Affairs for the Calabasas-based financial services company.
"Last fall, Countrywide provided initial funding for three Serving Those Who Serve projects. With the completion of the last of these projects in March, Rebuilding Together demonstrated the need for this kind of program, and Countrywide proudly committed a million dollars in long-term funding. We anticipate this grant will allow for the completion of modifications to at least 50 veterans' homes," Seebach said.
Mr. Miner lives with his wife, Phon, and their infant daughter, Abigail, in a 1960's tri-level home. Due to his war related injuries Mr. Miner's access within his home has been severely limited. Often planning his days around when his wife could assist him in accessing the upper or lower levels. Serving Those Who SERVE is improving accessibility in the home by providing several modifications including the remodeling of a bathroom; installation of stair glides, replacement of carpeting with wheelchair friendly flooring, painting and landscaping.
"James frequently mentions how extremely fortunate and blessed we are to have Rebuilding Together and Countrywide help us with our home and its many deficiencies," stated Phon Miner. "Rebuilding Together has been a driving force to help James, Abigail, and myself tremendously, for which we will always be indebted."
Mr. Miner is one of the few veterans to have served in three armed conflicts: Vietnam, Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He hasn't let his injuries hold him back. He competed at the National Veterans Wheelchair Games in Minneapolis in 2005; winning a gold medal in swimming and silver in air rifle shooting.
The November 9 ceremony featured presentations from Gary Officer, president and CEO of Rebuilding Together; Mary Jane Seebach, Managing Director, Public Affairs Countrywide Financial Corporation; Representatives of U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein and Congressman Brad Sherman; Dr. Paul Gutierrez, Mr. Miner's physician at the Veterans' Affairs Long Beach Healthcare System Spinal Cord Injury Group; and Homeowners James and Phon Miner.
Previous Serving Those Who SERVE projects have been completed in Clinton, MD; Birmingham, AL; Manassas Park, VA; Rosedale, MD; Miramar, FL and Houston, TX.
About Countrywide Financial Corporation
About Rebuilding Together
About Serving Those Who SERVE
Rebuilding Together's Serving Those Who SERVE was developed to meet the needs of injured soldiers and veterans returning from Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. We focus on providing home modifications and repairs to help ease the transition of the veteran or soldier back into their home after a life altering injury. The projects focus on the rehabilitation of their homes to help make them safer, more comfortable and to improve the quality of life for the veteran or soldier by helping them live with greater independence and improved mobility. The projects will not only modify the home; we believe it will help the individual, the family, and the community to heal. Serving Those Who SERVE focuses on helping veterans who suffer from one or any combination of four injuries including loss of sight, loss of hearing, mobility impairments, and traumatic brain injury.
Rebuilding Together
