Americans are honoring veterans throughout the weekend and into the coming days, as Veterans Day falls on Tuesday, November 11. For a number of door and window companies, however, supporting the United States military and those who have put their lives on the line goes beyond a commemorative holiday.
In September, MITER Foundation, the charitable arm of MITER Brands, celebrated a 10-year partnership with Homes For Our Troops, renewing its commitment for three years. Homes for Our Troops is a publicly funded 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that builds and donates specially adapted custom homes nationwide for severely injured post-9/11 Veterans, enabling them to rebuild their lives.
Last month, Window World of Toledo, Ohio, donated and installed windows for a nonprofit that helps veterans and first responders. Also in October, the California Energy Consultant Service (CECS) partnered with Simonton Windows to launch Windows for Warriors, a philanthropic initiative designed to honor veterans in the Greater Sacramento area through the gift of comfort, efficiency and care.
Through the partnership with Homes For Our Troops, MITER Brands donates products from subsidiary brands MI Windows and Doors, MILGARD Windows and Doors, and PGT, to help build homes. The company’s horizontal sliding windows have been the most frequently used for wheelchair accessibility and ease of use, with additional doors and windows used to adhere to local building codes, energy efficiency ratings and impact ratings.
“We’ve been grateful and honored to partner with MITER Brands since 2015,” said Homes For Our Troops president and CEO, and Brigadier General (USA, Ret), Tom Landwermeyer. “They are an exceptional and deeply patriotic company, consistently supplying our homes with top-notch windows. The company’s passion for assisting injured Veterans and their families significantly helps us advance our mission of Building Homes and Rebuilding Lives.”
Since the partnership’s inception, the MITER Foundation has helped build more than 180 homes nationwide through Homes for Our Troops, with additional homes planned for this year in Texas, Idaho, South Carolina, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Colorado, California, Virginia, Wyoming, Tennessee, and Florida. In addition to product donation, MITER Foundation team members regularly volunteer at the nonprofit’s construction sites.
“Our charitable contributions focus on four key pillars that are meaningful to our organization and close to our hearts,” said Tony Matter, vice president of brand and marketing at MITER Brands. “One of those pillars includes Veterans and active-duty military. We are grateful for the sacrifices the members of our military and armed forces have made for our country, and the best way to show our gratitude is by giving back. Many of the Veterans supported by Homes for Our Troops have sustained life-altering injuries, including limb amputations, paralysis, and traumatic brain injuries. We are honored to contribute to their recovery journey by helping provide specially adapted custom homes that empower them to rebuild their lives after serving our nation.”
Local news reports indicate that, by replacing old, dry-rotted windows in the H.O.O.V.E.S. Healing Center house, Window World of Toledo is helping H.O.O.V.E.S. Equine Sanctuary & Healing Center for Veterans‘ save money on their energy bills, which will allow the 501(c)3 to pour more into their mission of “bring[ing] veterans and rescued horses together in life-changing experiences, creating powerful bonds that heal, restore purpose, and empower new beginnings.” Last month, the company donated and installed 30 new windows. The H.O.O.V.E.S. Healing Center house hosts participants in the organization’s 5-Day Healing Intensive as they “heal and rebuild their lives through the power of … rescue horses.”
Thanks to Simonton’s donation, Windows for Warriors will provide one deserving veteran with a whole-home upgrade of Simonton windows and patio doors, completely free of charge. The initiative is about creating safe, comfortable and energy-efficient living environments that improve quality of life for those who have already given so much for our country.
Local residents were encouraged to participate by nominating a veteran they know, and the winner will be selected tomorrow, Tuesday, November 11.
This week, [DWM] magazine honors and gives thanks to those in the U.S. who have served their country in the armed forces. What we now know as Veteran’s Day, observed each year on November 11, began as Armistice Day in 1919 to mark the end of World War I. In 1954, the holiday was renamed Veteran’s Day to recognize and pay tribute to all American veterans, living and deceased, who have served in any U.S. conflict. To all Veterans, including those who are [DWM] readers, we offer our deepest gratitude for your service and for the sacrifices you have made to protect our nation.