With Veterans Day tomorrow, companies throughout the door and window industry are highlighting efforts to support military veterans and their families. Through partnerships with nonprofit organizations, product donations and home improvement projects, manufacturers and dealers are helping provide accessible housing, improved living conditions and facilities supporting military personnel.
Andersen Corp. recently highlighted a longstanding partnership with Jared Allen’s Homes for Wounded Warriors, a nonprofit organization that builds customized, mortgage-free homes for veterans who sustained severe injuries during military service.
Since 2018, Andersen has donated doors and windows to 12 veteran families and housing projects across the United States, officials say. The company’s contributions also include financial support and matching employee donations.
Most recently, Andersen supported the completion of a home for Marine Lance Cpl. Josh Wege in Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin. Wege lost both legs as a result of injuries sustained while serving in Afghanistan. The home was designed around his specific accessibility and mobility needs.
“Building a home that meets the needs of a critically wounded veteran and their family takes a team of people who believe in our mission,” said Jared Allen, founder of Jared Allen’s Homes for Wounded Warriors and former Minnesota Vikings defensive end. “Andersen is an important part of that team, and we’re grateful for their support and commitment to the veterans we serve.”
According to Andersen officials, fenestration for the projects can include wider openings, low- or zero-threshold transitions, accessible hardware placement and patio doors that allow easier movement between indoor and outdoor spaces.
The Wisconsin project also received support from Therma-Tru, which announced earlier this year that it had donated entry and interior doors for Wege’s home. The project marked the manufacturer’s tenth build in partnership with Jared Allen’s Homes for Wounded Warriors.
Wege received the keys to the completed home during a June 30 ceremony.
“At these key ceremonies, our veterans are not just opening the door to their new home. They’re opening the door to their new life,” Allen said in Therma-Tru’s July announcement.
Therma-Tru also reported contributing products to three additional veterans’ housing projects this year, including homes for Marine Corps Sgt. Saul Monroy in El Paso, Texas; Army Pfc. Phil Bauer in Marion, New York; and Army Staff Sgt. Bradley Fasnacht in Hummelstown, Pennsylvania.
Earlier this year, Western Window Systems, with support from MITER Foundation, donated more than 40 doors and windows to the C4 Foundation for an expansion of its ranch in Mesa Grande, California. The nonprofit supports active-duty Navy SEALs and their families through retreats and programs designed to strengthen family relationships and provide opportunities for rest and recovery. The donated products were designated for six new bungalows at the organization’s 560-acre ranch, which was established in honor of Navy SEAL Charles Humphrey Keating IV, who was killed in Iraq in 2016. The expansion, announced in May, was expected to double the organization’s capacity to serve military families. Products donated by Western Window Systems included Series 7900 Swinging Doors, Series 7665 Pass-Through Awning Windows and Series 7600 Angled Multi-Sliding Doors.
“We are deeply appreciative of 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,” said Mike DeSoto, chief operating officer of MITER Brands.
Support for veterans has also extended to local door and window dealers.
In March, Renewal by Andersen of Central Virginia reported donating and installing a replacement back door for an Army veteran in New Kent, Virginia, through its Renewal Cares initiative. The veteran served five tours in the Middle East, including Kuwait and Afghanistan. According to the company, her home’s existing back door had deteriorated, allowing drafts and moisture infiltration, while a failed lock created security concerns. The dealer provided and installed a replacement door at no cost to the homeowner.
Together, the initiatives illustrate how companies across the door and window industry are contributing to projects supporting veterans and military families.
The staff of [DWM] magazine thanks all those who have served in the U.S. armed forces. This Veterans Day, we salute you for your service and sacrifice.