The proverbial icing on the cake, however, came with an invitation from DirectBuy of Boston South to visit their Rockland showroom to select the kitchen cabinetry, bathroom vanity and flooring for their new home—at no charge, courtesy of DirectBuy.
“I used to work construction with my father so I have a pretty good idea of how much these kind of things cost,” said Fountaine. “The generosity of DirectBuy of Boston South and all the other contractors and vendors involved in building of the house, not to mention Homes for Our Troops, has been completely overwhelming.”
Homes for Our Troops, a non-profit organization based in Taunton, Massachusetts, builds and remodels specially adapted homes for severely wounded veterans. Fountaine, a double amputee after being injured during his second tour of duty in Iraq, was approached by Homes for Our Troops this fall about building the veteran a home in Plymouth.
With the help of dozens of contractors and volunteers, construction of the home began over Veteran’s Day weekend. Once the frame of the house was in place and contractors began work on the electrical, plumbing and other necessaries, it was time to design the interior. That’s when DirectBuy of Boston South stepped in.
“We wanted to help Brian because I believe we owe our returning troops, particularly wounded soldiers, more than a debt of gratitude. DirectBuy of Boston South contributing the kitchen cabinetry, bathroom vanity and flooring doesn’t bring back soldiers we have lost or minimize anybody’s injuries, but it more appropriately says ‘thank you’ not just to Brian, but to all the Iraq War vets for their sacrifices,” said John Massaria, owner of DirectBuy of Boston South.
Construction on Sgt. Fountaine’s house is expected to conclude in December with a projected move-in date around the holidays. For Brian and Mary, who plan to be married on June 8, 2008, it’s a dream come true.
“How many 25- or 26-year olds can move into a brand new house without a mortgage payment and with a kitchen and a bathroom like something you’d see on ‘Extreme Makeover’? It’s just mind-boggling,” said Fountaine. “We can’t thank Homes for Our Troops, DirectBuy of Boston South and all the other vendors, and all the other vets and volunteers who helped build our home for their kindness and support,” said Fountaine.
About Homes for Our Troops
Founded on February 4, 2004, Homes for Our Troops (www.homesforourtroops.org) is a Massachusetts-based 501(c)(3) non-partisan, non-profit organization building specially adapted homes for disabled veterans of war. The organization is strongly committed to assisting disabled and seriously injured veterans and their immediate families by raising donations of money, building materials and enlisting the help of professional contractors to volunteer on the homes built for our American Heroes who have given up so much to defend America.
Since 2004, Homes for Our Troops has helped many wounded veterans by providing handicap-accessible homes at no cost to the veterans or their families. Currently, there are 35 home projects completed or underway across the country.