Veterans Help Fellow Texas Veterans

More than 40 Charter Communications employees, including two Texas veterans, recently gathered in Fort Worth, Texas to improve the homes of two U.S. military veterans. The Charter our Community effort was in cooperation with Rebuilding Together Greater Dallas’sOperation Freedom, a project to improve the homes of 60 veterans in 60 days between September 11 and November 11, Veterans Day.

Charter’s efforts assisted George, a Korean War veteran who served in the U.S. Air Force, and Augustine, the widow of a veteran who served in the U.S. Army during World War II.

“These are the people who tug at my heartstrings,” said Dennis Luellen, executive director of Rebuilding Together Greater Dallas, as he explained the need to assist older generations of veterans and their families. “We can’t do what we do without volunteers and corporate support. Charter’s team was far and away one of the hardest working groups I’ve ever seen.”

 

George, a Korean War veteran, poses for a photo with Charter volunteers outside his Fort Worth, Texas home

 

Giving Back to Those Who Gave to Their Country

Two teams of Charter employees performed landscaping work, repaired fences and made other improvements to the veterans’ homes. Some projects simply helped to beautify the houses while others, such as the construction of a new front porch railing across the front of George’s house, were designed to make the homes safer for their aging residents.

“I think it’s wonderful that people take their time out to help people like this – like me,” Augustine said. “I think the ones who have a heart to do this are wonderful. I really appreciate it.”

Charter Construction Technician Robby Grubbs said he was eager to volunteer for the project when he heard the beneficiaries would be veterans. “They helped us – keeping us free,” Grubbs commented. “The least I can do is put in eight hours of volunteer work for them.”

Those who came before us paved the way. It was very rewarding to come in and say ‘thank you'

Charter employees Technical & Safety Trainer Jeremiah Comstock and Broadband Technician Jaymes Seals agreed. As younger Texas veterans, Comstock and Seals welcomed the opportunity to pay tribute to those who served in earlier conflicts.

“Those who came before us paved the way. It was very rewarding to come in and say ‘thank you,’” said Comstock, who spent eight years in the U.S. Navy. “It’s fantastic to be able to help someone who can’t help themselves,” remarked Seals, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran.

 

Good People, Good Work

Volunteers prepare to remove a large tree stump from Augustine’s backyard

 

Augustine’s daughter, Sherry, said her late father Ben would be pleased to see so many volunteers and fellow vets stepping up to help his family. “He would be out here working, too, if he could. He would be so proud,” she said.

Augustine’s home came to the attention of Charter our Community and Rebuilding Together after the family saw a television spot for Charter our Community and visited the Charter our Community website. They completed an online form to request assistance and received a call from Rebuilding Together a short time later.

“She was so excited,” Sherry said of her mother’s reaction when she learned Charter and Rebuilding Together would be able to help her improve her home. “Thank you, Charter. Good people do good things. Keep up the good work.”

 

A final coat of paint completes the renovation of George’s front porch

Charter volunteers apply a fresh coat of paint to the front of Augustine’s home.

Volunteers dig deep to access the roots of a tree stump that was removed from Augustine’s backyard

Charter employee Jaymes prunes trees outside Augustine’s home

Charter employee Kyle puts his paint brush to work on the front trim of Augustine’s house

Charter employee Sherrie disposes of fallen tree branches while cleaning up Augustine’s yard

A Charter volunteer trims the landscaping along Augustine’s fence

Charter volunteer Maria collects tree trimmings from the backyard of Augustine’s home

A fresh coat of paint is applied to the front trim of Augustine’s home

Volunteers fill one of dozens of bags with debris from George’s overgrown yard

Charter our Community volunteers paint a new front porch rail installed on George’s home

Charter volunteer Paul uses a nail gun to install new trim boards on George’s home