Faux Wood Blinds Add to the Comforts of Home for Severely Wounded Veterans

As you may know, Budget Blinds® has a history of programs and partnerships to help military veterans.

  • Aligning with TV shows like George to the Rescue and Designing Spaces’ Military Makeover to renovate veterans’ homes
  • Raising awareness of veteran issues by promoting Wounded Warriors Canada
  • Awarding over $1 million in discounts to veterans buying a Budget Blinds franchise
  • In 2014, Budget Blinds became an official Corporate Partner with Homes for Our Troops (HFOT), supplying faux wood blinds from our Signature Series® collection in every home they will build for the next three years

HFOT is committed to building mortgage-free, specially adapted homes nationwide for severely injured veterans Post 9/11, to enable them to rebuild their lives. Believing that a home is central to helping an injured veteran rebuild, HFOT and its corporate sponsors and partners, have built 209 specially adapted homes across the nation since 2004, and there are currently 72 more homes underway.

Major General (USA, retired) Timothy P. McHale, President and CEO of HFOT explains, “We at Homes for Our Troops do not believe in giving a home to severely injured veterans in charity. We believe it is a moral obligation of our society. There is no way we can repay you for your service to our country, but we hope this home can be a down payment.”

Aligning hearts, aligning resources

Franchisees participate in many ways: at Volunteer Days and Key Ceremony Days, running for Team HFOT in the Disney Marathon, installing the blinds, and joining BB Corporate at the check presentation of $50,000 to HFOT in 2015

Budget Blinds and its network of independent franchise business owners are proud to stand with HFOT, and provide support through products, services and cash donations. Along with Springs Window Fashions®, our supportive manufacturing partner who donates the blinds, Budget Blinds’ franchise owners measure and install the blinds, participate in program events and personally support HFOT.

It’s a vibrant partnership that sees new homes awarded every month to deserving veterans and Budget Blinds is there to help!  “Homes for Our Troops perfectly aligns with Budget Blinds’ commitment to honor U.S. military veterans. We are very proud to make this contribution to returning soldiers and their families.”  –Shirin Behzadi, CEO of Budget Blinds

Meet Army Specialist Jose Martinez

On a foot patrol in 2012 in Afghanistan, SPC Martinez stepped on an improvised explosive device (IED) while attempting to assist a fellow soldier who was injured. The blast he endured caused the loss of both legs, his right arm and partial amputation of his left hand. He was saved by teammates who worked heroically getting him stabilized for airlift to the hospital. Dozens of surgeries were necessary over months of rehab, and he shares, “The most difficult part of rehab was dealing with the rest of the surgeries that I had coming. The minute I started walking, another surgery had to happen.” Using prosthetics has been challenging with recurring infections and intense pain, as well as a right hip disarticulation that makes balancing and walking difficult so he spends a good amount of time in his wheelchair.

The specially adapted home from HFOT that is 100% wheelchair accessible will make all the difference in the world. SPC Martinez says, “It’s great! I actually feel more normal now; I get to live a life like everybody else. I don’t have to worry about falling in the shower or whether or not I can cook today. I can reach the stuff, and the cooktop is where you don’t burn your face. I can get anywhere I want to in my house. This takes away a lot of stress…a LOT of stress!

SPC Martinez is involved with his local chapter of the Veterans Sports Alliance, a nonprofit organization that provides activities for wounded veterans like hunting and fishing trips and working on cars. In his spare time he likes exercising, swimming, surfing and cheering on the LA Lakers.  He and wife, Liseth, are grateful for the work of HFOT and its generous supporters.

It gives me hope. We’re not guys that ask for anything, and for us to get something like this is just so unexplainable. That feeling that you get…that thank you…that unitedness. It gives me hope for mankind that we can help each other.”

For Brian and Bonnie English, franchise owners of Budget Blinds serving Yuciapa, this is their second HFOT house, having installed blinds in 2014 for Corporal Justin Crabbe. When asked about another home, they readily accepted: “Yes we would be honored to do it. Just let us know when you need us to measure.”  They provided expert measuring and professional installation and, this year, in addition to faux wood blinds throughout the house, motorized composite blinds were installed in the master bath, adding additional safety and convenience for SPC Martinez.

To hear SPC Martinez and Liseth share their story, click here.

A long-lasting contribution

Faux wood blinds complete the interior of each HFOT home, providing light and privacy control throughout, as well as beautiful, uniform design on all windows and doors

White faux wood blinds from our Signature Series collection were carefully chosen for the HFOT homes because of their versatility and high quality. Since the homes are built coast-to-coast, we wanted window coverings that would withstand all climates from rainy to deep snow drifts to hot steamy tropical or very dry weather conditions. Our faux wood blinds create a comfortable environment for veterans and their families to enjoy for many years.

  • They are moisture resistant; good for any room in the house
  • Blinds contain UVA inhibitors that keep them from ever yellowing
  • They provide energy efficiency by blocking sunlight to reduce solar heat
  • Made of durable polymer materials, they won’t crack, chip or peel and are easy to clean
  • Classic, white 2” slats are compatible with any home color scheme and are the perfect first step for layered window designs adding drapery panels, valances or other top treatments

If you would like to update your own home with stylish new window coverings, Budget Blinds offers an extensive line of window treatments including blinds, shutters, shades, and drapes that offer benefits beyond beauty.  Whatever you need–energy efficiency, motorization, eco-friendly or child-safe options—we have styles, colors and finishes to match any décor. Call 866-879-9730 to schedule a free, in-home consultation or go online at www.budgetblinds.com to find a Style Consultant near you.

To learn about the many ways to support Homes for Our Troops or to make a donation, go to https://www.hfotusa.org/.  We invite you to see HFOT’s “Year in Review/2015” of all the homes built, by clicking here. (Notice the blinds in all the windows, supplied by Budget Blinds!)

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