|
Houston Builder on Mission to Help Wounded War Veterans
|
|
 |
|
|
Custom builder Dan Wallrath, right, has built and donated four homes to injured Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans like Alexander Reyes through his charitable organization, BABA. More homes for veterans are under construction. Photo by CNN. | Custom home builder Dan Wallrath, of the Greater Houston Builders Association, is on a mission to build accessible houses for soldiers and Marines who were wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan — and to provide the homes to the wounded veterans for free.
On this mission since 2005, to date he has built four houses that have been donated to the vets and their families through the charitable organization he created, BABA — the Bay Area Builders Association. The organization has five more homes under construction.
With donations and labor from suppliers and skilled tradesmen who have all pitched in to help, the organization can build $300,000 homes for the soldiers and Marines at a cost of from $25,000 to $50,000. Each home is delivered fully furnished, mortgage-free and customized to meet the needs of each family and wounded veteran. BABA also pays the taxes and insurance on the home for the first two years.
For his efforts, Wallrath was recently recognized by the news network CNN in its “CNN Heroes” series, a weekly feature honoring everyday people who are changing the world. The segment on Wallrath has appeared on “Larry King Live,” CNN’s “American Morning” and on CNN’s Web site and Facebook pages.
Wallrath’s inspiration for the effort occurred when he was approached for remodeling advice by the father of a severely wounded Marine on how to modify the home so it could accommodate his son’s wheelchair.
Wallrath organized carpenters, plumbers and suppliers from the Houston HBA, who volunteered to help the Marine by building a ramp, widening doorways and making the bathroom accessible. After the renovation was completed, Wallrath realized he had a new calling and is expanding his mission into a national campaign called “Operation Finally Home.”
To view the CNN Heroes video about Wallrath and read his story on CNN.com, click here.
|
