Thursday, March 28, 2024

Home improvement honors local veterans

While active military personnel and veterans serve America’s citizens, the Leadership program of the Flower Mound Chamber of Commerce serves its residents with community-building initiatives.

A perfect example of that is the program’s current task in making improvements and repairs to a local family’s home.

Coordinating the project and the logistics needed to funnel time, resources and workers is Melanie Hoffman.

“If we can pull together businesses in our community, we can make a difference in families’ lives,” Hoffman said.

In this case, the difference benefits homeowners Claude and Catherine Blinov, who served in the U.S Coast Guard and U.S. Navy, respectively. Claude suffers from brain damage as a result of injuries he sustained during Operation Desert Storm.

Led by members of the program and the Chamber of Commerce, local contractors and businesses joined this week to overhaul most of the Blinov’s house on the east side of Flower Mound.

The Home Depot in Flower Mound donated over $2,000 of building materials then followed it up with commitment from several store employees who belong to “Team Depot”, a program where members work on assistance projects benefitting veterans in their communities.

“We have had employees come in and out during this week, many straight after their shift at the store is completed,” said Operations Manager Frank Espinoza.

David Eiland, owner of Eiland Construction in Double Oak and a member of the chamber, visited the Blinov’s home and quickly determined repairs were needed to most of the house’s siding.

In addition, work was performed on walls and doors and most rooms were repainted. Eiland also helped install a new shower/bathtub fixture.

“This is about giving back to the community where you live and work,” said Eiland, who estimated the total amount of improvement to the house in terms of material and labor reached $25,000 – $30,000.

In addition to those improvements, Flower Mound-based Lakeside Flooring is installing new floors and carpeting throughout the two-story house.

“We all work in this community and to be able to do something for people who are heroes is fulfilling as a way to thank them for what they did,” said Tony Mowles, Lakeside Flooring owner.

Mike Sherwood is a local contractor who Hoffman credits with keeping the project on track.

“Taking something that is in one state and improving it makes the biggest difference to them [the homeowners],” Sherwood said. “I also just enjoy working with and spending time with people.”

Hoffman said assistance also came from local businesses including Dee’s Domestics, Daniel’s Air & Plumbing, BEHR Paint, Heritage Health Solutions, Universal Florist, Caldwell Remodeling and Waste Management, while Texas Roadhouse catered portions of their menu to feed hungry workers.

No better demonstration of the spirit of community was the vigor and camaraderie shown between the workers and family members, as everyone pitched in and genuinely enjoyed each other’s company.

“I love this community; it’s wonderful. We’re speechless, other than our thanks to everyone,” said Catherine Blinov. “We’re just totally blown away by all of it.”

Pictured above: Contractor Mike Sherwood, Farmers Insurance Agent Matt Brost, Lakeside Floor Co. Owner Tony Mowles, homeowner Catherine Blinov, Team Depot Operations Manager Frank Espinoza and project coordinator Melanie Hoffman take a breather from the multitude of home improvements.

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