Portage retailer proprietor serving to disabled veterans just one lavatory at a time

PORTAGE, MI — Caring for people who served in the navy is equally a individual and group responsibility, Frank Mumford said.

That belief led Mumford, proprietor of SIR Residence Improvements in Portage, to sponsor the Baths for the Brave initiative, in which a disabled veteran is picked two times annually, on Memorial and Veterans times, to receive a absolutely free tub makeover, made to improve their independence, a news release from his organization states.

“I wished to do some thing for our veterans in honor of my father who served as a Marine for the duration of Entire world War II,” Mumford reported in a statement. “Over the several years, we have worked with a wonderful numerous disabled persons to assistance them manage their independence at home by setting up wander-in showers and wander-in tubs.

“I know from private expertise what a existence-switching difference this can make for an individual who may well usually be faced with relocating into assisted dwelling.”

Mumford’s enterprise is 1 of 10 residence-advancement providers from throughout the U.S. that have banded collectively to improve the life of veterans and thank them for their support, in accordance to the Baths for the Brave web page.

On Veterans Day in 2020, Sgt. James Hurley, an Iraqi War veteran from Van Buren County, grew to become the to start with spot veteran chosen by SIR Property Advancements as part of the plan. Hurley’s wander-in shower, according to the release, will be installed on Feb. 5.

Hurley produced nationwide information immediately after returning property from the Iraq War in 2005 to uncover his lender experienced illegally foreclosed on his dwelling and resold it, resulting in a Federal lawsuit that lasted seven many years.

Connected: Iraq vet James Hurley loses ‘dream home’ to foreclosure

In addition to earning front web pages domestically and across the state, his court docket situation and his struggles were being documented in a e book, “A Soldier’s Residence: United States Servicemembers vs. Wall Street,” penned by Matthew Cooper.

SIR Dwelling Advancements of Portage is now on the lookout for one more receiver who is challenged by acquiring in and out of a standard tub properly due to either staying a wheelchair user, needing a cane/walker to get about, or due to the fact they experience one more bodily challenge that will make at-house independence complicated to preserve.

Veterans, or their mates and household, might nominate a veteran in need to have for this program by visiting www.baths4thebrave.com. For extra information and facts on the system, phone 800-747-4633.

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