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

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Sep 19, 2011, 09:00 ET

Southern Crafted Homes and a Community of Volunteers Join in Presenting Specially Adapted Home for Army SGT Austin Burchard and Family

LUTZ, Fla., Sept. 19, 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 be presenting keys Saturday, September 24, to SGT Austin Burchard and his family. Construction on the home began in May with a three-day Build Brigade where volunteers finished the home's frame, siding, and roof, and installed windows and doors.

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

Sergeant Burchard was left a paraplegic due to severe injuries caused by a gunshot wound while manning a post in a gun turret in Wardack Province, Afghanistan, on March 19, 2009. This new 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, and will allow him to live his life more independently.

"The Key Ceremony for Austin Burchard is an opportunity for us to show our appreciation for all he and his family have sacrificed," said John Gonsalves, founder of Homes for Our Troops. "Homes for Our Troops is proud to join our building partner Southern Crafted Homes, and the community of Lutz to welcome this brave soldier into his new home. We salute each and every volunteer for helping to give back freedom and independence to this very deserving family."

Who: Sergeant Austin Burchard
Full bio available at: http://www.homesforourtroops.org/burchard

Dawn Teixeira, Executive Director, Homes for Our Troops

What: Key Ceremony for Army SGT Austin Burchard

When: Saturday, September 24, 2011
11 a.m. - Key presentation followed by home tour

Where: 3224 Mapleridge Drive, Lutz, Florida 33558

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