Thanks to the kick-start of an anonymous donor, today a Chicago-area severely wounded U.S. military veteran and his family learned at a surprise announcement that they will move into a beautiful new mortgage-free LIFEhouse? home.
(PRWEB) June 24, 2012
Thanks to the kick-start of an anonymous donor, today a Chicago-area severely wounded U.S. military veteran and his family learned at a surprise announcement that they will move into a beautiful new mortgage-free LIFEhouse? home.Built with award-winning universal design principles, the LIFEhouse accommodates the unique needs of a wounded veteran. The home is in the Newport Cove community, created by home builder/developer New American Homes near Antioch, Ill., on suburban Chicago?s Chain O? Lakes. The anonymous donor approached Susanne Tauke, owner of New American Homes, with more than $200,000 toward the home.
U.S. Army Spc. Nick Mapson is the recipient of the LIFEhouse. Mapson suffered debilitating injuries in Afghanistan in July 2004 and is the deserving recipient. He was driving a truck that was blown up by anti-tank mines. In the explosion?s aftermath, Mapson was trapped in the truck, became drenched in diesel fuel and caught on fire. He forced open a door to escape the burning truck, put out the fire that engulfed him, and without medication endured the wait for a helicopter pickup and subsequent hour-long ride to a hospital.
He was placed in a medically induced coma, stabilized and flown to Germany, where his parents were asked to come to say goodbye because of Mapson?s critical injuries. But he survived and was flown to Texas for medical treatment. The explosion and subsequent fire left him with third-degree burns to his face, arms and hands, much hearing loss, reduction in eyesight, back-disc bulging, herniation and other injuries.
Just as bravely as Mapson defended his country he has fought through his injuries, undergoing numerous skin grafts and continuing rehabilitation during months in hospitals. He experiences constant pain, especially in his hands, which lack a range of motion. He earned a Purple Heart and other U.S. commendations for his meritorious service. Mapson is one of the more than 48,000 U.S. veterans who have been wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Mapson and his wife and two children presently live in Sugar Grove, Ill.
Built for a wounded veteran?s needs
The ranch-style LIFEhouse, at 1,992 square feet plus a finished basement, features an open floor plan with wide doorways and circulation areas. The specially designed entrances, kitchen and bathrooms are accessible for a physically challenged veteran.
Among the features adding to livability are multi-level cabinetry, lever door handles, stair handrails with lighting beneath, alternating colored low-pile carpet on stairs, hardwood flooring, no-slip porcelain tile, accessible light switches and outlets, and appliances accessible from a sitting level. The home incorporates predominantly made-in-America products, such as easy-maintenance engineered wood siding. Wausau Supply, one of the Midwest?s largest building supply companies, is donating the siding?s prefinishing, which is advertised to have a virtually maintenance-free finish and a 30-year no-fade warranty.
The LIFEhouse team
The site of the LIFEhouse announcement was The Highlands of Elgin, in Elgin, Ill., at the annual golf event of the Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago (HBAGC) and Residential Construction Employers Council, Chicago.
This home is part of the national Touchdown for Homes project and locally involves the HBAGC, the Chicago NFL Players Association (NFLPA) Former Players Chapter (of which Reggie Smith is president) and New American Homes.
Susanne Tauke, president of New American Homes Inc., said, ?LIFEhouse began when our company collaborated with the Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access (IDEA) at the University of Buffalo, State University of New York, which is a pioneer in architecture and design work in accessibility. Our first LIFEhouse won the 2012 Best of 50-Plus Housing Award from the National Association of Home Builders. This led to the anonymous donor providing the seed money to build the LIFEhouse for a Hero.
?The anonymous donor was overwhelmed with emotion after reading Nick Mapson?s story. The donor chose Nick for the LIFEhouse, and like everyone associated with this effort is extremely grateful for his sacrifices.?
Tauke will meet with Mapson to determine if the LIFEhouse can be customized even more to serve his needs.
Mapson, in his application for the LIFEhouse, wrote, ?Life would be a lot easier with handles and grips to hold onto, and the user-friendly equipment would greatly help as well. Just being able to have a sense of security to give my family would mean the world to me. I am very grateful to have organizations like yours available for us severely wounded veterans. It truly means the world to us.?
Rita Unzner, executive director of HBAGC, learned of Mapson with help from the Veterans Administration. Also aiding in selecting Mapson was Operation Finally Home (OFH), a national 501(c)(3) that provides custom mortgage-free homes to wounded and disabled veterans and the widows of the fallen. Many manufacturers have contributed to the LIFEhouse. LP? Building Products, which helps wounded veterans around the country, has provided organizational support and donated LP SmartSide? engineered wood siding and trim.
Tauke said, ?We are so grateful to the companies who are donating great easy-maintenance products for the home ? companies like LP Building Products and Wausau Supply.?
Smith said, ?It?s a privilege for the NFLPA to support Nick and his family with the LIFEhouse. We have been delighted to participate in this effort, helping bring attention to the needs of wounded veterans and to create visibility about the LIFEhouse. Former NFL players are devoted to giving back in the communities that have supported us. We honor the great sacrifices of our wounded veterans.?
Unzner said, ?It?s a unique honor to benefit Nick and his family. HBAGC members, many of whom are U.S. veterans, are indebted to veterans for their sacrifices and are very pleased to support Touchdown for Homes. We plan to continue to reach out to Nick after he gets settled in his new home to help with the transition to his new community.?
Paul Sowacke, Chicago-based channel manager for LP Building Products, said, "LP Building Products recognizes the tremendous commitment our veterans make to keep us free. Nick perfectly exemplifies this commitment and sacrifice. We hope Nick and his family enjoy the LP SmartSide Trim and Siding for its beauty and durability."
Newport Cove is an award-winning planned community of 67 homes located on 42 waterfront acres along Bluff Lake, one of 15 lakes in the Chain O? Lakes. Forty percent of the community is dedicated open space, including an eight-acre waterfront park and 100-plus-slip marina.
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To obtain a 300 dpi visual of Mapson being surprised at the home announcement, please email pkunklier(at)teamhfa(dot)com or call 888.376.7601, ext. 6963.
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PLEASE SCROLL DOWN TO SEE A COMPLETE LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS TO THE LIFEhouse.
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About Touchdown for Homes
Touchdown for Homes is a nationwide charitable outreach program of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and the NFLPA that brings together local home builders associations and former NFL players to strengthen communities by building or renovating homes for children or families in need and veterans. For more information visit http://www.nahb.org/touchdownforhomes.
About New American Homes
New American Homes is an award-winning builder specializing in distinctive custom and semi-custom homes, in Chicago and its north/northwest suburbs. For more information on Newport Cove and the LIFEhouse, visit http://www.newportcoveonline.com or contact New American Homes at 847.772.2772.
About the Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago
HBAGC is a not-for-profit trade association representing more than 2,000 members involved in home building, remodeling, design, housing finance, building product manufacturing and other segments of residential construction. HBAGC provides its members with networking and educational opportunities and represents them in matters related to government relations and advocacy. Founded in 1939 and located in Rolling Meadows, Ill., the HBAGC covers Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry and Will counties. It is the oldest affiliate of the NAHB, whose headquarters are in Washington, D.C. For more information visit http://www.hbagc.com.
About LP Building Products
Louisiana-Pacific Corporation is a leading manufacturer of quality engineered wood building materials including OSB, structural framing products, and exterior siding for use in residential, industrial and light commercial construction. From manufacturing facilities in the U.S., Canada, Chile and Brazil, LP products are sold to builders and homeowners through building materials distributors and dealers and retail home centers. Founded in 1973, LP is headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, and traded on the New York Stock Exchange under LPX. For more information, visit http://www.lpcorp.com.
About Operation Finally Home
OFH is an award-winning program created as a nonpartisan/nonprofit organization in 2005 by Bay Area Builders Association (Houston) Support Our Troops. OFH supports as many wounded veterans as possible via home builds and advocacy. OFH partners with corporate sponsors, builder associations, builders, developers, individual contributors and volunteers to help severely wounded heroes and their families? transition from the battlefront to the home front and help them succeed in their challenging new world so they may ultimately enjoy a productive and rewarding life. For more information visit http://www.operationfinallyhome.org.
LIFEhouse CONTRIBUTORS:
1.????Land Technology, surveyor
2.????Fox Valley Services, excavator
3.????Parksite?, house wrap
4.????Alexander Lumber, building supplies
5.????T&A Builders, carpenter
6.????L&R Plumbing, plumber
7.????Pete's HVAC, heating and ventilating
8.????Bright Zone, electrician
9.????Astro Insulation, insulation
10.????Halverson Overhead Doors, garage doors
11.????W.D. Blake and Sons, well
12.????Andersen? Windows, windows
13.????LP Building Products, LP SmartSide siding and trim, public relations support
14.????Wausau Supply Company, Diamond Kote? siding finish
15.????Resysta?, decking
16.????Moen?, faucets and sinks
17.????Toto?, toilets and sinks
18.????Smart Cabinetry?, cabinets
19.????Waudena Millwork?, interior doors & trim
20.????Illinois Brick? Company, brick pavers
21.????Cinemation?, low voltage wiring
22.????Mohawk Industries?, carpet, tile, wood flooring
23.????Balanced Environments, landscaping
24.????Cutting Edge Carpets & Floors, flooring installation
25.????H&H Custom Countertops, countertops
26.????Stahl Cowen, attorneys
27.????Bluff Lake Venture/New American Homes Inc., land/construction management
28.????First American Title, title insurance
29.????Chrysalis/HBA of Greater Chicago, management
Media Contacts:
Rita Unzner, Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago????????
630.780.7490 ????????????????????????????????
hbagreaterchicago(at)gmail(dot)com ????????????????????????????????????
Susanne Tauke, New American Homes Inc.
847.772.2772
mstauke(at)newamericanhomes(dot)us
Patrick Kunklier, hfa
888.376.7601, Ext. 6963
pkunklier(at)teamhfa(dot)com
Rita Unzner
Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago
630.780.7490
Email Information
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