SAN DIEGO - A program that has construction industry businesses donating time and materials to make disabled veterans' homes accessible will be the first ever national charity effort of the Associated General Contractors of America (Â鶹´«Ã½), the group's president, Douglas E. Barnhart announced today. As a result of the selection, the association's 33,000 member companies and chapters will be urged to identify and help disabled veterans returning from service who need to have their house made accessible.
Barnhart, who made the announcement during the opening session of the construction group's annual convention in San Diego, said the charity effort, known as Operation Opening Doors, was chosen because it provided the best way for the construction community to show its support for America's wounded veterans. He noted that the program was originally established by the association's South Dakota Building Chapter.
"No wounded soldier should ever have to feel out of place in their home again," said Douglas E. Barnhart, president of Â鶹´«Ã½. "Our goal is clear, turn a bold vision into a national reality of success for those who sacrificed so much for our freedom."
Barnhart noted that as president of the association he has made increasing the construction community's charitable contributions a main focus of his tenure. As part of that, he established a new national awards contest, the Â鶹´«Ã½ in the Community Awards, as the best way to recognize the largely "unheralded" efforts of the chapters across the country.
"We want to recognize the tremendous difference our members and chapters are making in their communities," said Barnhart. "Until now, these efforts have largely gone unnoticed."
Barnhart announced the winners of the first-ever Â鶹´«Ã½ in the Community Awards during the opening session of the convention. The winners were:
- Aid to Children with Muscular Dystrophy, Contractors Association of West Virginia
- Dominican Center and the Sojourner Truth House, Â鶹´«Ã½ of Greater Milwaukee
- Habitat for Humanity, Â鶹´«Ã½ of Virginia
- Operation Opening Doors, Â鶹´«Ã½ of South Dakota, Building Chapter
- Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh, Master Builders of Western Pennsylvania
- St. Hermann's House of Hospitality, Ohio Contractors Association
- The Haven, Arizona Builders Alliance
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