Homes for Our Troops, a national non-profit organization, builds specially adapted homes at no cost to severely injured veterans of war. Milender White (MW) partnered with Homes for Our Troops to build a specially adapted 3,000 sq. ft. single-story home for U.S. Army Corporal Nick Orchowski, who was severely wounded in Iraq in 2004.
MW co-founder and U.S. Air Force veteran Mike Milender spearheaded the firm’s involvement in this effort and saw the project through to completion. MW led an outstanding team of dedicated subcontractors and suppliers that donated labor and materials for the project. The team’s passion for the work motivated upgrades to the house that were never on the original drawings. Additions included a fireplace, a brick exterior in lieu of siding, and solid core doors in lieu of hollow core doors. The home features temperature control showers and bathrooms, handrails, push-button doors and many other handicap-accessible features.
The Orchowskis moved into their ENERGY STAR® certified new home and fulfilled their dream of having a house that enabled each family member to live with more independence.
* Photographs by Jonathan Castor