DEWALT Provides Tools and Hope to Wounded Warrior Project Veteran
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Dec. 23, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Coast Guard veteran Darren "Red" Rankin had the look of a kid waking up on Christmas morning when he saw what was stacked in a conference room at Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) headquarters in Jacksonville. DEWALT®, a corporate partner and supporter of WWP, provided a bounty of yellow boxes and packaging, filled with tools and supplies.
"That is amazing," Red said, marveling at the stack of equipment. "That's really amazing." He and his wife began to weep openly, hugging each other. These tools are more than just a donated gift – they are hoping for their future.
Max Van Arsdale, a WWP staff member who arranged the tool giveaway, explained DEWALT donated the tools to assist with Red's business.
Financial hardships crept up on Red and his wife in the spring of 2015. Shortly after purchasing a home and moving in, Red's wife fell and broke her kneecap in half. She was unable to return to work for nearly a year.
"To keep up with our bills, my wife took a job at a home improvement store, and I started doing home improvement and handyman jobs," Red said. "I've always done my own home repairs, and everyone who has ever seen my work was always surprised that I didn't do it for a living."
In an attempt to secure better jobs, he reached out to WWP to get assistance with resume writing and career placement through Warriors to Work®. The WWP staff member he worked with, Ty Dixon, got him started on the path that would change his life forever and lead him to this room filled with power tools.
"She sent me several job placement postings, resume writing tips, and student aid information to help me with continuing education," Red said. "During this time I was able to secure a job doing a complete renovation of a multi-family home that would keep me working through at least the end of the year."
After a chance to tour WWP's headquarters, it was time to hit the road. As Max helped Red and Tracy load their truck, Red said "it's an early Christmas" and chuckled as he reached for another box of tools. The Rankins said a tearful goodbye and headed out; the next day was a work day, and Red couldn't wait to play with his new tools.
To read Red's full story and see a video, visit https://newsroom.woundedwarriorproject.org/DEWALT-Provides-Tools-and-Hope-to-Wounded-Warrior-Project-Veteran.
About Wounded Warrior Project
We Connect, Serve, and Empower
The mission of Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) is to honor and empower Wounded Warriors. WWP connects wounded warriors and their families to valuable resources and one another, serves them through a variety of free programs and services, and empowers them to live life on their own terms. WWP is a national, nonpartisan organization headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. To get involved and learn more, visit woundedwarriorproject.org.
SOURCE Wounded Warrior Project