Wounded Veterans Help Renovate Injured Service Member's Home

STAFFORD, Va., March 17, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Brandon Burns served his country proudly in the U.S. Marine Corps. Images of his days in uniform still sit on bookshelves in his home, alongside marine posters, his dress cap, medals, and his Purple Heart. The Purple Heart was given to Brandon after a sniper's bullet pierced his skull in 2004 and nearly cost him his life.

Recently, a group of volunteers led by Wounded Warrior Project^® (WWP) started the process of giving back to Brandon and his family. Wounded veterans from WWP joined Team Rubicon and Helmets to Hardhats for a weekend renovation project to improve Brandon's home. Helmets to Hardhats brought in experienced workers from trade unions to donate their time to help with electrical work and building shelves for the residence. Helmets to Hardhats helps veterans find careers in the construction industry.

WWP's Alumni program connects wounded veterans with one another through service projects, sporting events, dinners, and other outings. Shared experiences help create individual support structures for injured service members. The Alumni program is one of 20 direct programs and services provided to wounded veterans, their families, and their caregivers, all free of charge.

"I was very surprised and humbled that Wounded Warrior Project and the other non-profits would do anything like this for me, for free," Brandon said.

The weekend started with WWP sending Brandon and Laura Burns to stay in a hotel in Baltimore to relax while volunteers got to work. Workers fixed electrical issues while installing new lights and electrical outlets. Other skilled volunteers worked in the attic, on a wood burning stove, and in the bathrooms.

Sunday afternoon, WWP welcomed Brandon and Laura back to their home to see the finished projects.

"We love the bench in the kitchen, the handles on the doors and cabinetry, the two brand-new toilets, and the shed in the back of the house," Brandon said.

Along with making the house more comfortable for the Burns family, the work earlier this month helps bring the house up to building code.

Brandon had one message for WWP and all of the volunteers.

"Thank you so much for your involvement in my life, and my family's life," Brandon said.

Brandon recently registered with WWP's Independence Program (IP). Through IP, WWP helps the most seriously wounded veterans. These are men and women who have suffered moderate-to-severe brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, or other neurological conditions. Wounded veterans' cognitive or physical challenges limit their opportunities to access resources in their communities. WWP provides individual plans for injured veterans that allow them to live life on their terms, and ensure care will be there, for life. In February alone, WWP's Independence Program helped more than 900 injured veterans and family members.

About Wounded Warrior Project
The mission of Wounded Warrior Project^® (WWP) is to honor and empower Wounded Warriors. WWP's purpose is to raise awareness and to enlist the public's aid for the needs of injured service members, to help injured servicemen and women aid and assist each other, and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs. WWP is a national, nonpartisan organization headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. To get involved and learn more, visit woundedwarriorproject.org.

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SOURCE Wounded Warrior Project