The Cowlitz Indian Tribe recently awarded a $7,500 grant to support an ongoing veteran home improvement project titled Operation Home Rescue.
The program, operated by TMG Cares, aims to assist veterans who live in Clark County who are physically unable or can’t afford home maintenance or repair needs, stated a news release.
The grant will go toward purchasing supplies and materials for Operation Home Rescue project homes.
“The Cowlitz Indian Tribe has always had a strong commitment to our veterans and reverence for their sacrifices made to protect our communities,” said Luke J. Bridges, the chairman of the Cowlitz Tribal Foundation Clark County Fund. “To that end, supporting TMG Cares’ pursuit of improving veterans’ quality of life through home repairs and improvements is an initiative that truly makes our hearts sing.”
TMG Cares completed five project homes in 2021 through the collaboration of employee volunteers, members of TMG Maintenance and vendor partners.
Provided services included plumbing and electrical repairs, preventative maintenance, housekeeping, safety and mobility upgrades, as well as gutter cleaning, pressure washing, landscaping and tree or branch removal.
Veterans who benefited from the program included a U.S. Army Korean War veteran and a U.S. Navy “Seabee” Korean War veteran, stated the release.
“This $7,500 grant from the Cowlitz Tribal Foundation provides Operation Home Rescue the opportunity to expand its reach,” said Jennifer Lindsay, the community engagement coordinator for TMG Cares. “Not only does it allow Operation Home Rescue to help more veterans, it provides Operation Home Rescue the funds necessary to market the program to veterans in need and potential community partners for future project homes.”
This year, Operation Home Rescue hopes to increase the number of veterans it serves to between eight to 10 project homes. The release stated the number of applicants has already doubled since last year.
“Our goal is to help every eligible veteran who applies in some way,” Lindsay said. “We are grateful for our partnership with the Cowlitz Tribe and their dedication to the community. If we all offer a little bit of our time and services, we can make a huge impact in the lives of our veterans.”
For more information, or to apply for an Operation Home Rescue project, go online to operationhomerescue.com.
