Home Depot helps New Freedom Farm establish a climate controlled building for Veterans use

New Freedom Farm received grant and helpers from Home Depot and others volunteered, too.

On Friday October 19th, 2018 , Home Depot came to Buchanan. The Town of Buchanan Mayor Craig Bryant and Town Manager, Jason Tyree represented the broader Buchanan Community and volunteers from West Roc ( electricians,) also showed up with many from the New Freedom Farm network  for a special occasion. Bryant said, “There is a sense of purpose here, a national level safe haven for Vets. This is something Buchanan is proud to support.”

Ten people came from Home Depot to turn a pole barn into a building for meetings in a climate controlled environment.  They also brought 6 trees and mulch for landscaping.T he Home Depot Store #4209 Hershberger Store Roanoke VA chose New Freedom Farm as a community project for their Team Depot program. Gold Star parents (their son Michael gave the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the Marine’s in Iraq)  Both Becky and David Lalush were there on Friday to add a new component to the New Freedom Farm setting.

New Freedom Farm is a site where Veterans can feel safe. They specialize in those with PTSD and use horses as therapy animals. A building on site will be used for veterans and their family members to meet with various professionals in a climate-controlled environment,  have a flushing toilet and water.   The building has been named after Steven D. Goodwin a US Army Vietnam Veteran who spent a lot of time at New Freedom Farm  and recently passed away passed away. His wife Barbara Goodwin  came to to watch one of Steve’s legacies come true.  World War II veteran USMC Carlos Showalter  the oldest veteran who attends the  Farm was on hand.

Showalter said, “ I like coming here. Lois Fritz knows what she is doing. You can talk here without a government official writing a report. I like that.”

Lunch for the crew was served served at 12 noon. then electricity was hooked up, the building filled in to look like a meeting room and bathrooms finished. It was a great day at New Freedom Farm thanks to the donation of time, supplies and manpower.

Information on Team Depot: more than 37,000 homes and facilities transformed. More than a quarter of a billion dollars given to veteran-related causes by The Home Depot Foundation since 2011.  When it comes to supporting the brave men and women of our armed forces, we’re all in.  Too many of our veterans and their families face major housing challenges, aggravated by issues like unemployment, age and service-related disabilities.  Through nonprofit partnerships and hands-on volunteering, we work hard every day to improve the lives of veterans and their families.  Through Team Depot, our associate-led volunteer force, volunteers devote thousands of hours each year to building and repairing homes for those who have served.  Through The Home Depot Foundation, we annually grant millions of dollars to nonprofit partners across the country whose programs focus on ending veteran homelessness, creating housing for our most critically wounded veterans, and ensuring our aging veterans have a safe place to call home.  We’re dedicated to giving back to those who have already given so much for our country, and with more than 35,000 veteran associates, taking care of them is personal to us.

— Story and Photo by Cathy Benson

Tagline: Home Depot employees, West Roc electricians, New Freedom Farm members and volunteers and local dignitaries came together to transform a barn onto a meeting place.