Learn About Homes for Our Troops

Homes for Our Troops is a national non-profit, non-partisan 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2004. They are strongly committed to helping those who have selflessly given to our country and have returned home with serious disabilities and injuries since September 11, 2001. It is our duty and our honor to assist severely injured Servicemen and Servicewomen and their immediate families by raising donations of money, building materials, professional labor and to coordinate the process of building a home that provides maximum freedom of movement and the ability to live more independently.

Note: An eligible Veteran or service member may receive a Veterans Administration Specially Adapted Housing Grant up to a maximum amount of $63,780. Homes for Our Troops’ assistance covers all costs over and above this grant　to ensure that　the home is provided at no cost to the recipient.Charity Watch Ratings

Charity Navigator, one of the premiere charity rating agencies in the country, has reviewed Homes for Our Troops finances and awarded them with its highest rating of 4 stars.

Charity Navigator analyzes the most recent four years of a charity's finances in areas such as percent of funds spent directly on programs, overhead costs and other important factors that measure if a charity is prudently managing the funds entrusted in the hands of a charity. Homes for Our Troops received a score of 68.96 out of a possible 70 points - a grade of 98.5%.

The American Institute of Philanthropy, one of the country’s premier charity watchdog organizations, has included Homes for Our Troops in their "Top-Rated Veterans & Military Charities" listing.　 Only 7 of the 40 Veterans charities rated by AIP are included in the Top-Rated Category.

Because of their stringent review process, the AIP is described as "the pit bull of watchdogs" by the New York Times.　 Newsweek said "It's the toughest of the bunch.　 Because it disregards certain, potentially suspect, expenses and donations, it fails some nonprofits that the other raters approve."

There are two heroes I would like you to consider donating t SFC Jacque Keeslar and ,

SFC Jacque Keeslar

Northern San Diego County, California

While on a terrorist mission in Al Anbar Province, Army SFC Jacque Keeslar was thirty days from the completion of his 12 month tour in Iraq when he was severely injured by an explosion. The IED that was detonated directly underneath his Stryker, pinned him in the vehicle’s gun station and pulverized his legs. After an initial evacuation by Blackhawk Helicopter to an Army Field Hospital on June 27, 2006, SFC Keeslar awoke to find himself in Walter Reed Army Medical Center, a double amputee.

SFC Keeslar is hoping for some stability in his life, noting that most everything since the explosion has been temporary...including his current, inaccessible apartment. The Keeslar family is looking forward to living in a specially adapted home that will allow them to change their future circumstances from uncertain to hopeful. Moving back to where Jacque and his wife, Vanessa were raised will allow the Keeslars to have the support of family and concentrate on recovery and the future.

Cpl. Tyler Southern

Saint Augustine, FL

Marine Corporal Tyler Southern was on his second deployment when he 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 IED in Musa Qala in the Now Zad District of Afghanistan on May 5, 2010. Having no recollection of what happened prior to the blast, Cpl Southern has been told by his squad members that he stepped on a 10 pound, pressure plated IED while searching for insurgents in a walled compound. Lifesaving measures at the scene readied Cpl. Southern for the MEDEVAC to Camp Bastion Hospital in Afghanistan while squad members secured the area. After be airlifted to Landstuhl, Germany, Tyler was transported to Bethesda Naval Medical Center where he spent nearly two weeks in a coma, awaking to find his family surrounding his hospital bed, including his two brothers, both active duty service members. Tyler would spend another three months recovering at Bethesda before transferring to Walter Reed where he continues receiving therapies at this time.

Project Updates!

The Build Brigade for Cpl. Tyler Southern has been set!
We will be having our 3 day event
August 12th, 13th and 14th!

Site Location
254 Honey Branch Lane
St. Augustine, Florida 32092

If you are interested in construction volunteering please contact Construction Manager, Dan Lovendale, at dlovendale@homesforourtroops.org.  If you are interested in helping with non-construction　volunteering, please　contact Community Outreach Coordinator, Jessica Peck, at jpeck@homesforourtroops.org!　　　

Go to www.homesforourtroops.com to learn more about this worthy charity that builds specially adapted homes for our severely wounded heroes.