PDC Project Manager Gives Back to Veterans with Homes for our Troops
In honor of Veterans Day, we want to highlight Andrew Rovan, senior project manager for Annual Capital Projects, and the work he has done to help military veterans. Andrew volunteers at Homes for our Troops (HFOT), a Taunton-based non-profit dedicated to building and donating specially adapted custom homes nationwide for severely injured post-9/11 veterans. All of the veterans have sustained traumatic injury, and are typically double or triple amputees. The goal of the organization is to help restore a sense of freedom and independence to these veterans.
“One of most appealing aspects about this non-profit is their acumen for fiduciary responsibility. They carry a four star rating on Charity Navigator and are considered among the top at Charity Watchdog. What this means is your donations are actually going back to the veterans. About ninety cents of every dollar donated goes back into a home for a veteran.”
In 2010, Andrew took the opportunity to get involved with HFOT after being inspired by friends and family who are veterans. Andrew became aware of HFOT while researching volunteer opportunities, and eventually HFOT learned about Andrew’s construction background so they offered him a job. Andrew worked as a construction manager and land acquisition specialist at HFOT for almost two years, and during this time he participated in the delivery of over 20 homes to veterans, in 18 different states.
HFOT homes are designed and built to be barrier-free, meaning everything is entirely accessible—from doors and hallways that are wider than usual, to roll-under sinks, cabinets and countertops. You’ll also see pull-down shelving, automatic door openers, and appliances that are lower for wheelchair access. In addition, the homes feature fixtures, hardware, and mechanical rooms that are designed so that veterans are able to maintain their home.
Once construction is complete, veterans take receipt of their new home during a special event called the “Key Ceremony”. This hand-off event is typically delivered with an honorary motorcade, color guard march, and the sound of bag pipes. The veteran is escorted by first responders, fellow veterans (both old and young), family, friends and hundreds of community supporters.
“The most rewarding part,” Andrew said, “was being able to see the veteran and their family receive the keys to their new mortgage-free home.”
After leaving HFOT, Andrew is still an active volunteer and seeks to help anytime a veteran chooses to build a home within the New England area.
HFOT also provides events to raise money for the homes like marathons, bike rides, and sport nights for the community. In addition, throughout the life-cycle of projects, there a number of volunteer opportunities including community builds and landscape days.
Learn more about how you can get involved on the HFOT website.