A Minneapolis eye surgeon is offering military members free corrective laser surgery worth $5,000.
Dr. Neal Sher has already helped more than 250 military men and women improve their vision. He donates his services and the Phillips Eye Institute donates the space.
He says a lot of people pay lip service to doing something to help the troops, and he wanted to do something more substantial.
Vision is an issue because many troops aren’t allowed to wear contact lenses in the desert. They can wear glasses, but those can blow off, get dusty and fog up.
Sher’s charity has caught the attention of Gen. David Petraeus. The head of U.S. Central Command has acknowledged Sher’s work with a thank-you note.
Sher says he does the surgeries because his dad and other relatives are veterans
There is a lot of publicity given to non profits and charitable organizations that do great things for our heroes but what seems to be missing is what a private sector company has been doing for more than 7 years to give back!
The following is a brief version of the Homes for Heroes story:
I am the President and CEO of Homes for Heroes®, a family owned, Minnesota grown company. We started this company shortly following the tragic events of 09/11/2001. There was a call to action, by the administration at that time, for the private sector to step up to the plate and support our communities. Since most of my family members were in the business of real estate we decided to create Homes for Heroes. We affiliate with realtors, lenders and other real estate related service providers to provide substantial rebates and discounts to our heroes. We define heroes as military personnel, police officers, firefighters, first responders and others who serve our country and their communities.
We created a complete marketing package and unique process so that our affiliated realtors and lenders can give back to heroes through significant discounts on real estate services.
In 2004 we applied for and received a registered trademark for the name Homes for Heroes and our logo. All of our family savings and years of hard work have gone into this company. We have asked for no venture capital or other investors. We simply have worked hard for years to grow this company to where it is today. We consider our model to be “profit with a purpose.” Not only do we help our affiliates grow their businesses, but we also provide heroes with increased home purchasing power.
Our company has grown and found success. We’ve been contacted by heroes and affiliates in 46 states. Thousands of heroes register on our website each year looking for the savings that our affiliates provide to them, and our program has gained a national reputation.
In recent years, we began to receive many contacts from returning veterans in need of financial assistance. We decided that we had to help these heroes as well. Our family formed the Homes for Heroes foundation through our own personal funds. We are still waiting for our 501(c)(3) determination from the Internal Revenue Service. Once that is in place we will begin fundraising for the foundation whose mission is to provide financial assistance and housing resources for our heroes who demonstrate financial need. I personally donate the office space and equipment for the foundation so currently 100% of what we receive will go back to the heroes in need. As we continue to grow Homes for Heroes we also will earmark a percentage of profit for the foundation. Recently, we received a donation from the residents of a senior housing facility in North Carolina and 100% of that donation went to an injured soldier who was in the hospital. His military pay had been delayed because of some error and he needed money immediately to pay his rent. We paid it!
As you can see, we have dedicated years and all of our financial resources to Homes for Heroes. We feel honored to help stimulate the economy, by providing jobs, helping others grow their business and give back to our heroes, increasing their home buying power!
In closing, I want to say… Please do not ignore the entreprenuers who create jobs and give back to their communities!
Homes for Heroes was founded shortly after the tragic events of 9/11.
Daily, for eight years throughout the country, we have strived to give back to those who give so much,and to honor and ensure a legacy of rememberence, for those who lost their lives that day.
Below is not just a video, but a documentary… Please watch so that WE WILL NEVER FORGET!
Congratualtions to our Homes for Heroes Affiliate in Victoria Texas for reaching the $20,000 mark on their way to the goal of $100,000 in money given back to our heroes. We are proud to announce that in just four short months, through Homes for Heroes, they have saved/given back over $20,000 to local Heroes. We are truly humbled by the generosity of all of the “Friends of Heroes” that have selflessly reduced or cut fees for our Heroes. Victoria has over twenty-five businesses that have joined our team to help increase savings for our Heroes. Thanks again to everyone and we look forward to continuing to help our Heroes.
Read the full article here: http://www.victoriaadvocate.com/weblogs/homes-for-heroes/2009/aug/24/homes-for-heroes-update/
Born and raised in Southern California, Orange County has been Shana’s home for over 38 years. She attended both public and private schools and is a Graduate from Chapman University. Her career in Real Estate began in 1998. She worked for a Commercial Real Estate Firm prior to becoming a Residential Realtor. The combined experience brings a professional level of service that her clients can depend upon and trust.
Her goal is to give her client’s “Peace of Mind” about the Sale or Purchase of their home. To ensure a trouble free transaction, she remains in constant communication giving her clients the latest information on their transaction. The trust and confidence that is established when you work with her gives you peace of mind about one of the largest investments you and your family can make…your home.
“I pledge to provide my clients with unsurpassed service. My clients will receive prompt, courteous, knowledgeable communication every step of the way.” Shana treats her clients with respect and that is why so many of her clients have become her friends.
The reputation of Prudential California Realty is unsurpassed in name recognition and customer service. Prudential California Realty provides the Best in Professional Real Estate Services. Combine this with Shana’s unique concern for her clients needs and you have a Realtor that will undoubtedly be successful for you, as she has been for countless others.
For Shana, it is a tremendous honor to be a part of Homes For Heroes. This organization has given her the opportunity to give back to those that have given without reservation. Both her Grandfather (Navy) and her Father (Army) served in the Military. Shana says that if her Grandfather were alive today, he would be absolutely thrilled to know that she will be representing Homes For Heroes in Orange County, California. “Now it is my turn to give back and share my skill as a Realtor.”
Shana looks forward to meeting you and discussing how she can help you achieve your real estate goals.
I, Like the owners of Home for Heroes and millions of others, was horrified at 911 and the unnnecessary loss of life, especially the firefighters and police officers just trying to do there jobs under one of the worst disasters in our nation’s history. Myself, like so many others, asked “What can I do to help?”. Well, over the years, I feel I made small contributions to the heroes by buying tickets to donations, raffles and of course giving to firemen when they have their booth out at a intersection.
Now, with Homes for Heroes, I can make big contributions. $1,000, $1500, $2,000 or more may not seem like much when buying a home, but after quite a few years in the real estate business, I can tell you it is very important. For example, on a $200,000 home you may put down $5,000 as a down payment, then add in a $300 inspection, a $400 appraisal, plus attorney fees, closing costs and money to spruce up the home. Now you’re looking at $6,000-$8,000 of out-of-pocket expenses. Wouldn’t it be nice to get $1,500-$2,000 back in your pocket? If for no other reason than doing your job and doing it well, Ralph, what do you mean by just doing my job?
Heroes don’t like to be called heroes. So, the program was designed by people that do appreciate the hard work of a fireman, the courage of a police officer, the intensity of the soldier and the patience of a teacher. It’s a program to reward the life you’ve chosen and to continue to defend our freedom of choice. I’m happy to have a chosen a career in the Real Estate industry to guide clients in the biggest financial purchase of there lives and to make sure they do without mistakes and without compromise. So when you’re ready to go out looking at homes for your family, go out armed with a Homes For Heroes Realtor and make the right choice.
Homes For Heroes would like to acknowledge every Fallen Hero and Patriot Guard, but here are a few photos from a recent Patriot Guard Mission in Minnesota.
On July 16th, 2009, three soldiers from Minnesota were killed in a missle attack in Iraq. The Minnesota Patriot Guard participated in the funeral service for SPC James David Wertish, per request of his family.
During these Missions, we are not to approach the family or guests. We do not speak to them unless they approach us. It is also our policy to not take any photographs of the family, the coffin, or guests.
One of the hundreds of Patriot Guard riders who attended the mission took some inspiring photos to share, although he says the pictures are not even able to show all of the riders and motorcycles.
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — An attorney is preparing to ask the Veterans Affairs Department to pay disability benefits and damages for hospital mistakes that may have exposed veterans to infectious body fluids.
Attorney Mike Sheppard of Nashville said he is preparing to file claims with the VA for about 60 veterans.
Among them are veterans who have tested positive for HIV and hepatitis and others who suffered emotional distress after the VA gave them initial positive test results for infections that turned out to be wrong.
Sheppard also said others among the roughly 10,000 affected former patients at VA hospitals in Murfreesboro, Tenn., Miami and Augusta, Ga., are also likely to seek compensation beyond the VA’s offer of free medical care.
Homes For Heroes would like to share this special announcement to veterans:
Veterans who experience injury and/or disability may have a difficult time accommodating their disability to their home. Veterans with limb injuries may struggle with stairs, hallways, bathrooms, and kitchens. Vets with brain injuries or vision problems may have trouble navigating their existing home.
Whether you are a disabled veterans or a disabled vet’s family member, understanding how to handle housing adaptations and veteran status is important for your quality of life. The VA offers the Specially Adapted Housing Grant program for disabled veterans. Unlike traditional VA home loans, the Specially Adapted Housing Grant (SAH Grant) program is available only to disabled vets, and typically only those with service-related injuries. Because veterans often come home to homes that formerly were easy to navigate but pose difficulty after injury, helping vets to accommodate is an important part of post-service life. Navigating a poorly-adapted home is a challenge for anyone who is disabled. This is why the VA developed this home improvement grant program-to help make vets’ homes affordable and livable. The maximum grant available is $60,000. The veteran’s home must be suitable for housing a disabled vet, and must be financially affordable, after the
grant improvements, for the veteran. The grant can be used within the United States and, in some cases, outside of the United States if the veteran does not live in the U.S.
Veterans can apply for and receive the Specially Adapted Housing grant up to three times, but can not use more than the maximum grant. If the maximum increases over time, the vet can apply for a
grant that is the difference between the former ceiling and the new grant ceiling, but cannot apply for more than three times for the grant. In addition, special loans are available to cover any home improvement costs not covered by the grant.
To qualify for the SAH grant, veterans must:
1. Fill out form 26-4555 to apply for the SAH grant program.
2. Submit this form to your nearest VA regional loan center. The grant is NOT a loan, but the same agency within the VA handles these SAH grants.
You may be asked to provide proof of service as part of the application; be prepared with this paperwork.
Examples of home improvement projects covered under the Specially Adapted Housing grant program include adding ramps to a home, lowering counter tops, widening doorways and hallways, and making adjustments so that veterans can be more independent and mobile in their own home.
To view pictures of projects completed under the Specially Adapted Housing grant program, watch the video detailing the program, or to learn more, visit this site.
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Posted by homesforheroes 
Posted by homesforheroes 
