This Army Family deserves the “Give the Gift of Good”
Vote for the Ortega’s (#4) Here
“…our nominee has a great opportunity to win the $20,000 home makeover from the Foundation…”
We are very excited! We have a specific mission to support our military community at MilitaryAvenue.com. Our efforts have been rewarded with a sense of accomplishment, smiles and appreciation. But today we are just ready to tell the story of one Army family and our effort to identify a military family for a home makeover from the Home Depot Foundation.
The Adam and Monica Ortega familyWe have started our mission with the selection of the crew! MilitaryAvenue has reviewed all of our entries for the HD Foundation, “Give the Gift of Good Contest” and selected our military service member participant! We earlier announced that MilitaryAvenue’s “Our Letters to You. A Military Family Blog” was one of nine bloggers privileged to participate. So our nominee has a great opportunity to win the $20,000 home makeover from the Foundation during the next 11 days beginning at midnight tonight. But let’s get to know them!
MEET THE ORTEGAS
Congratulations to the Adam Ortega family of Watertown NY/ Ft Drum for being selected as the MilitaryAvenue nominee!
Adam Ortega is a soldier with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Post Traumatic Stress (PTSD) after being injured in Afghanistan this spring. He has served for nine years and his supervisor said,
“He is a Soldier in the Warrior Transition Unit, who is currently undergoing intense medical treatment. His wife, Monica, is working hard to make sure SSG Ortega goes to all his medical appointments, all while taking care of their 5 children. Needless to say, she carries a huge load on her shoulders, and is a truly motivating example of an Army wife. The Ortega’s are an amazing and touching example of today’s military family. They own their own home, and currently are in need of help in renovating to suit his medical/physical needs.”
Ortega’s Home near Ft DrumExactly the type of need we wanted to identify to the folks at the Home Depot Foundation! He was nominated by his supervisor and spouse for both his needs and the needs of his family. The Ortegas specifically requested help with bathroom/shower facilities to assist Adam with his physical needs, kitchen modifications for family needs and new windows to keep out those harsh upstate New York winter storms. The lake effect snowstorms off Lake Ontario can top 200 inches of snow a year! With the cold comes a request for a new HVAC system for the house as well. Additional needs include fencing for the yard to help with his need for security/privacy desire with the trauma of PTSD.
Monica wrote us a letter explaining her soldier’s injuries and requirements for this contest. What came across to the MilitaryAvenue team was her love and devotion to her friend, partner and soldier. She was proud of him, wants to help him get better and support the needs of their five children ages 2-11. Her email signature includes this:
Proudly serving my Country by loving my Soldier.
Unfortunately, as we shared emails over Thanksgiving weekend, Adam had been readmitted to the hospital for care. This soldier’s journey to a full recovery continues as he deals with the daily walk of pain and trauma.
Partners MilitaryAvenue and Home Depot Foundation create smilesThe “Give the Gift of Good” is based on your votes. We think the Ortegas deserve your votes! As the MilitaryAvenue nominee we presented them with a $500 Home Depot gift card to celebrate the Christmas/Holiday Season! Your votes will help them have a fantastic Christmas with a home makeover to help Adam get better.
You can vote once a day for the length of the contest from the 29th of November (tomorrow) till Friday the 9th of December! We will provide the link when it goes live tonight at midnight. Please vote everyday and share this national treasure of a family with your family and friends! We have chosen the right team for the mission, now we just need you to push them into the winner’s circle with a successful launch!
Expect the link for voting to be posted after midnight today and please vote daily. We will be announcing and providing reminders on MilitaryAvenue’s Facebook page here: http://www.facebook.com/MilitaryAvenue. Do you twitter? Follow us at http://twitter.com/MilitaryAvenue for updates! Share with friends too!
Give the Gift of GoodPS: A big thank you to Adam’s supervisor, George Wuichet, for identifying this soldier’s family to MilitaryAvenue. You are an impressive soldier, leader, advocate, friend and this retired airman is glad you are on our team.
Contest rules can be found at:
http://www.militaryavenue.com/Content.aspx?Name=home_depot_gift_of_good_rulesbyColonel KonMonday, November 28, 2011
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to PinterestMilitary Life:Col K,GiveGood,Home Depot Foundation,Veterans
You May Also Like
Sea to Shining Sea… on a bicycle!
Posting Old Pictures
