Since opening to the public in 2004, the USS Midway Museum has remained steadfast in its commitment to honoring and supporting military veterans and their families. Through direct financial contributions, discounted and complimentary admission programs, commemorative ceremonies and special events, Midway proudly recognizes the service, sacrifice and dedication of those who have worn the uniform of our nation and the families who have stood beside them.
This commitment was again vividly demonstrated when the museum again teamed up with the Home Depot Foundation to support five local veteran-support organizations through a massive volunteer event on the flight deck. Home Depot brought together hundreds of volunteers to complete a series of projects benefiting the Armed Services YMCA, Horse of the Sun Ranch, Humble Design, Warrior Foundation Freedom Stations, YMCA Camp Surf, as well as Midway.
We’re here with about 300 volunteers and we do projects like this across the United States every day,” said Erin Izen, the Home Depot Foundation’s executive director. “At the Home Depot Foundation, we’re on a mission to make sure that every veteran has a safe place to call home.”
“Home Depot and Midway are perfectly aligned on our mutual commitment to supporting veterans,” said Steve Miller, Midway’s director of strategic partnerships and member development. “Nothing gives us greater satisfaction than knowing that there are organizations that feel as strongly as we do in helping our active-duty military, veterans and their families.”
In slightly more than three hours, and with military-like precision, the volunteers assembled custom outdoor and indoor furniture, including picnic tables, raised garden beds, benches, dressers, tables and nightstands, in support of the therapeutic and housing programming of the participating veteran-support organizations. Volunteers also assembled bicycles and playhouses to enhance the everyday lives of local veterans and their families.
“Giving back to veterans is at the core of what we do at the Home Depot Foundation,” said Danny Watson, a senior project specialist at the Home Depot Foundation. “We have quite a few projects that we’re doing and our volunteers have come from all around the country to help us. We’re working through our local stores who are leading the effort through Team Depot.”
Since 2011, the Foundation has invested more than $650 million in veteran causes and improved more than 70,000 veteran homes and facilities, ensuring more of the nation’s heroes have a safe and comfortable place to call home that fits their individual needs.
Home Depot has approximately 475,000 employees and 2,300 stores in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Each store has its own set of non-profit organizations they work with. Home Depot is engaged with more than 15,000 local organizations around the country and also has 26 national non-profit partners, many of whom directly support veterans.
“Serving veterans is something that’s really important to us,” said Heather Prill, director of Team Depot and strategic partnerships. “It’s at the core of what we do, and more than 35,000 of our own associates are veterans, active military or military spouses.”
The receiving organizations of the Home Depot Foundation’s efforts have tremendous gratitude for the support they get from volunteer projects like the one on Midway.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Home Depot Foundation for their continued commitment to the warriors we serve,” said Andy Gasper, CEO of the Warrior Foundation Freedom Station. “It’s amazing for our residents and the warriors we serve at the hospital. They look at these events and are able to really see how much America still cares about them. We are honored to have partners who continue to invest in the well-being of our nation’s warriors.”
The opportunity to conduct this community outreach project for veterans on Midway is especially impactful for the volunteers.
“We love being up here on the Midway,” said Erin. “It gives our volunteers a chance to see what the veterans have done and what they are connected to. It’s extra special for us to do some of this work alongside some of the military. We’re all gathered here to make sure we’re making a difference.”
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