Credit Union Joins Project to Build Home for Injured Iraq Vet
 Courtesy Homes For Our Troops
Peter Rooney and his wife, Susanne, whom he met while stationed in Germany, at the World Trade Center memorial in New York City. |
Former Army Sgt. Peter J. Rooney III of Worthington lost both his legs two years ago in Ramadi when a roadside bomb exploded, hitting the vehicle he was in.
The Wahconah Regional High School graduate enlisted in 2001 at the age of 18 and was sent to Iraq in 2006.
The national organization Homes For Our Troops is coordinating the construction of a new home adapted to help the wheelchair-bound Rooney live as independently as possible and provide a home for him and his wife, Susanne.
Greylock Federal Credit Union has donated $10,000 to the initiative.
"When we heard about the statewide commitment of the Massachusetts Credit Union League supporting this worthy cause, we knew we had to get on board locally," Greylock President Angelo C. Stracuzzi said. "It's the very least we can do to show our appreciation to our troops."
The 4-year-old Homes For Our Troops solicits funds, materials and labor to build homes for injured veterans. It's already built some 40 homes, including three with ABC's "Extreme Home Makeover."
Greylock Federal got involved after receiving letter from credit-union league President Daniel Egan asking the financial entities statewide to support the cause.
"There is really no better way for us to mark the 100th anniversary of the founding of the credit union movement than to demonstrate our philosophy of people helping people by lending a hand to these men and women who have given so much for us," said Egan.
He pointed out that Homes For Our Troops was ranked highly by the American Institute of Philanthropy, one of the country's top charity watchdog groups, and that the nonprofit "set a high standard for the efficient use of funds collected on behalf of injured veterans."
Homes For Our Troops assists severely injured veterans and their immediate families by raising donations of money, building materials and professional labor and then coordinating the process of building a new home or adapting an existing home for handicapped accessibility. The finished home is then given to the veteran. All services provided are at no cost to the veterans they serve.
The Massachusetts Credit Union League will be the event sponsor for the Homes For Our Troops 3rd annual Gala at the Marriott Boston Copley Place on June 13. Proceeds will be used to build another home to meet the needs of servicemen or -women who has been seriously injured while serving the nation.
To donate or volunteer services for the Rooney project, click here.
