June 20, 2008

Credit Unions, National Journal, Convention staff, Homes for Our Troops and volunteers build home from foundation to weather-tight in three days

Golden, CO - Hundreds of volunteers from the staff of the Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC), local credit unions, the Colorado Building Trades Council and the National Journal Group gathered today for the start of a three-day "Build Brigade" to construct a new home for severely injured Iraq war veteran Staff Sergeant Travis Strong and his family. Volunteers will spend the weekend building the home from the foundation to "weather tight" by Sunday.

The home in Golden, Colo., a joint project of Homes for Our Troops, the DNCC, America's Credit Unions, and National Journal Group, will be presented to SSG Strong and his family around this summer's Democratic National Convention in August.

"We are excited to have the DNCC and its staff, the credit union movement, National Journal, and local labor unions volunteer their time and skills to build this home for a true American hero," said John Gonsalves, President and Founder of Homes for Our Troops. "Over these three days, you'll really see the magic that can happen when hundreds of volunteers come together for a worthy cause."

Ground was broken on the home site in Golden in April. Working from dawn to dusk, more than 150 volunteers and skilled laborers will complete much of the home's exterior construction during the three-day Build Brigade.

The home's eventual recipient, SSG Travis Strong, 30, lost both legs above the knee as a result of injuries sustained during a rocket-propelled grenade attack on his Stryker vehicle in November 2006. He was on his second tour of duty in Iraq for the U.S. Army. The home will be specially adapted for SSG Strong, his wife Misty, and their two children, and is being built at no cost to the Strong family.

"On behalf of Governor Ritter and myself, we are pleased to welcome Sergeant Strong and his family to Colorado and look forward to helping this American hero make a new home," said Colorado Lieutenant Governor Barbara O'Brien. "This project is just one way we can say thanks to Sergeant Strong and the thousands of veterans like him who have given so much on our behalf."

Leah D. Daughtry, CEO of the DNCC, said: "My staff and I are honored and thrilled to be a part of this labor of love for someone who has given so much to his country. We're excited to join together with our partners in rolling up our sleeves and getting to work on this terrific project for Sergeant Strong and his family."

Daniel A. Mica, President and CEO of the Credit Union National Association (CUNA), the nation's largest advocacy group for the not-for-profit, cooperatively owned credit unions, added "This project is just one example of how credit unions live out their 'People Helping People' philosophy. Whether they are here in person volunteering their time or helping with fundraising efforts nationwide, our credit unions and their members are honored to participate in this project for a very deserving soldier and his family."

John Dill, President and CEO of the Credit Union Associations of Colorado and Wyoming, said: "Credit unions here in Colorado are excited to participate in this effort, as evidenced by the great number of volunteers who have shown up today. This is truly a worthwhile project and one that is very easy to get behind."

"In April we chose a spot, broke ground, and set the Homes For Our Troops plan in motion. Now we have the privilege of installing the doors, assembling the windows and building the roof with the generous help of the Strongs' new neighbors and friends" said Suzanne Clark, President of National Journal Group. "We're so proud to stand with the Denver community to start making this site a home."

The undertaking marks the latest effort in a year-long series of service projects the DNCC has organized to give back to the community hosting the 2008 Democratic National Convention. Since last July, the organization has centered its monthly "DNCC Service Days" outings around three areas of importance to the Denver-area community: youth, environmental projects and the combined issues of homelessness and hunger. Given its strong commitment to organized labor, the DNCC is proud to work closely in this latest service effort with the Colorado Building and Construction Trades Council, AFL-CIO, which is providing the skilled labor for the project in Denver.

In addition to the non-professional volunteer labor provided today, the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) and its affiliated Credit Union Associations of Colorado and Wyoming are helping Homes for Our Troops coordinate the project and working to raise funds for the effort. CUNA, the Minnesota Credit Union Network, and National Journal Group are also working with Homes for Our Troops and the Republican National Committee on a companion project for a veteran's home in conjunction with the Republican National Convention. A similar Build Brigade for that project is planned for June 26 - 28th in Woodbury, Minn.