Bipartisan Support Helps Build New Homes for War Veterans in Denver and Minneapolis

Washington, DC (PRWEB) February 23, 2008 -- Homes for Our Troops, a non-profit organization committed to building specially adapted homes across the United States for severely wounded American troops, welcomes the help of the Republican and Democratic National Conventions, the credit union movement and the National Journal Group, Washington, D.C.'s leading publisher of political and policy news, in building new homes for wounded veterans in Denver and Minneapolis.

"We are proud to be joined by the National Conventions, their staffs, the people of the credit union movement, and National Journal in building these new homes for two very special American Heroes," said John Gonsalves, President of Home for Our Troops.

In the months leading up to the presidential nominations at the National Conventions, Homes for Our Troops and its partners will construct a house in both the Colorado and Minnesota host cities with help from both political parties. Leah D. Daughtry, CEO of the Democratic National Convention Committee, said: "The brave men and women serving in our armed forces and defending our country are true heroes in every sense of the word, and we owe them our deepest gratitude. We feel humbled to join in this important effort recognizing their honorable service by helping to provide something they all deserve: a roof overhead in a place that can comfortably be called home."

Maria Cino, President and CEO of the Republican National Convention, said, "We are committed to giving something back to the community hosting our convention - and there are no people we owe more to than those who have served in defense of our nation and freedom. Taking care of our veterans is not a Republican issue, it's not a Democratic issue, it's an American issue. We are honored to participate in this initiative."

Dan Mica, President and CEO of the Credit Union National Association (CUNA), the nation's largest advocacy group for the not-for-profit, cooperatively owned financial institutions, added: "Credit unions are gratified to support our troops every day, and join with the National Conventions, as part of this special effort in helping two deserving service members and their families."

"We appreciate the opportunity to be part of these efforts," said Suzanne Clark, President of the National Journal Group. "We hope to make a difference to these two deserving families who have given so much."

The ground-breaking for the homes in Denver and Minneapolis will be in March or early April and National Journal, credit union members, and the staffs of both the Democratic and Republican National Conventions have committed their time to completing the construction in the following months. The homes, which will be uniquely outfitted for the special needs of these great Americans, will be presented to both veterans at the respective conventions. Besides these two homes, Homes for Our Troops builds homes across the United States for armed services members who have been seriously wounded in action. These homes are provided at no cost to the Veteran.

The 2008 Republican National Convention is participating in the Homes for Our Troops effort through its American Neighbor volunteer program, a service initiative aimed at giving back to the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area and inspiring Republicans across the nation to take action in their own communities. The thought behind the American Neighbor program is to make people realize that, 'Yes, I can help my neighbor. I can make a difference in my community. As part of the American Neighbor program, convention staff is participating in several volunteer projects throughout the host cities.

In Denver, 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 July, the DNCC has centered its monthly "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 will provide skilled labor for the project in Denver.

CONTACTS:

Patrick Keefe (Credit Union National Association), 202-508-6765

John Gonsalves (Home for Our Troops),

508-823-3300

Patrick Morris (National Journal), 202-266-7476

Jenni Engebretsen or Natalie Wyeth (Democratic National Convention Committee), 720-362-2006

Matt Burns (Republican National Convention), 651-467-2008

###

Enter your search terms Submit search form