Homes for Our Troops to Present Severely Injured Florida Marine with Keys to New Home

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Dec 14, 2011, 09:00 ET

Building Partner Dream Finders Homes and community of St. Augustine join in presenting specially adapted home to Marine Corporal Tyler Southern

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla., Dec. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Homes for Our Troops (www.homesforourtroops.org), a national non-profit organization dedicated to building specially adapted homes for severely injured veterans, will present keys Sunday, December 18 to Marine Corporal Tyler Southern. Construction on the home began in August with a three-day Build Brigade during which volunteers finished the home's frame, siding, and roof, and installed windows and doors.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110912/DC65777LOGO)

Corporal Southern lost both of his legs above the knees, his right arm above the elbow, and shattered his left arm and hand after stepping on an improvised explosive device (IED) while serving in Afghanistan on May 5, 2010. The new specially adapted home, which goes beyond ADA compliance, features open floor plans, automatic door openers, hard-surfaced floors, roll-in showers, roll-under cooktops, sinks, and more; it will allow him to live with more freedom and independence.

"The Key Ceremony for Tyler Southern is an opportunity for us to show our appreciation for all he has sacrificed," said John Gonsalves, Founder and President of Homes for Our Troops. "Homes for Our Troops is proud to join our building partner Dream Finders Homes, and the community of St. Augustine to welcome this brave Marine into his new home. We salute each and every volunteer for helping to give back freedom and independence to this very deserving family."

Who: Cpl. Tyler Southern

Full bio available at: http://www.homesforourtroops.org/southern

John Gonsalves, President and Founder, Homes for Our Troops

What: Key Ceremony for Marine Corporal Tyler Southern

When: Sunday, December 18, 2011, 1 p.m. - Key presentation followed by home tour

Where: 254 Honey Branch Lane, St. Augustine, FL 32092

About Homes for Our Troops: Homes for Our Troops is a national non-profit 501(c)3 organization based in Taunton, Mass. founded by John Gonsalves in 2004. Homes for Our Troops mission is to build specially adapted homes for service members who have been severely injured in combat operations since September 11, 2001. All homes are built at no cost to the veteran through the generous support of individuals, foundations, and corporate contributors. Homes for Our Troops has received a Four Star Rating from Charity Navigator.

SOURCE Homes for Our Troops