Rebuilding Together Boston, New England Center for Homeless Veterans Celebrate the Relaunch of the NECHV Clothing Store Sponsored by Sears' Heroes at Home program on Veterans Day

November 11, 2009 11:30 AM EST

Opening of a renewed retail store a bright spot for veterans in current economy

BOSTON, Nov. 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Veterans Day - Rebuilding Together Boston, a non-profit organization that works in partnership with skilled labor and volunteers to restore homes and non-profit facilities, has completed the major renovation of the New England Center for Homeless Veterans' (NECHV) retail clothing store. The work was completed courtesy of the funding by Sears Holdings' Heroes at Home program with terrific support from Shawmut Design and Construction, Sasaki Associates and Mr. Handyman employee volunteers.

More than 75 volunteers worked on the restoration of the retail store. Rebuilding Together Boston also acknowledged the talents of numerous companies and contractors who donated their time, skills, and in some cases materials, to the project: Allan Construction, Allegheny Contract Flooring, Bill Kahn, Broadway Electric, J & M Brown Electrical Company, Cheviot Corporation, Dectam, EHI, John M. Kennedy & Co., Kennedy Sheet Metal, Northeast Sprinkler, Mark Richey Woodworking, Skanska USA Building and T & T Electric.

Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino praised the effort. "Our family, friends and neighbors who have served in the military have given so much for our freedom. On Veterans' Day the people of Boston and every American should take a moment to thank our veterans and to give something back. It is a fitting tribute to our war heroes to celebrate the renovation of The New England Center for Homeless Veterans, which has been a terrific partner in the Government Center area of Boston for 20 years," said Mayor Menino. "We are pleased that so many volunteers have joined with Rebuilding Together Boston to keep NECHV in first-rate condition and to refurbish the clothing store, which provides much needed clothing, shoes, and toiletries to our veterans at no cost."

The Thomas H. Evans Clothing Store, which originally opened in 1990s, located in the basement of the NECHV on Court Street, provides free clothes, shoes, toiletries and accessories to thousands of veterans each year. The Rebuilding Together Boston volunteers painted the retail store and hallway walls, remove existing ceiling tiles, paint ceiling grids, and put in a new ceiling in the store. In addition, architects voluntarily designed a new space plan for the store.

"On Veterans Day, through our Heroes at Home program, it is an honor to recognize the military service of men and women and to offer them a safe and warm place to call home," said Don Hamblen, Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Sears Holding. "We also were pleased that our local Sears employee volunteers could assist with the renovation of the NECHV retail store."

"The opening of the new retail store is a bright spot for our veterans in the current economy. Rebuilding Together Boston appreciates the creativity and hard work that our volunteers and sponsors put forth to renew the New England Veterans Center for Homeless Veterans," said Simone Auster, President and CEO of Rebuilding Together. "Today's ribbon cutting celebration culminates almost many months of work to provide our veterans with warmth, safety and security. From the main hall to the retail clothing store, we appreciate the hard work of our volunteers and sponsors and acknowledge our Veterans for their service to our nation."

This past April, Rebuilding Together Boston -- with support from Sears Holding's Heroes at Home program and Grand Circle Corporation and their volunteers -- renovated the main hall of the New England Center for Homeless Veterans which serves as a meeting and events space for the veterans.

The NECHV will be instituting retail job training for veterans which will give them an opportunity to acquire the skills needed for retail employment.

"It's terrific to see our local businesses join together in a collective effort to honor our Veterans by renovating our retail space so that more veterans can benefit from the services provided," said Laurence D. Fitzmaurice, President and CEO of NECHV. "As we celebrate 20 years of service to our Veteran community, we appreciate Rebuilding Together Boston and the site sponsors, Sears Holding and Sasaki Associates and all of the volunteers who made these improvements possible."

Photos from volunteer work are available upon request.

Rebuilding Together® Boston (RTB) is a non-profit organization working in partnership with skilled labor and volunteers to stabilize and restore homes and non-profit facilities in Boston neighborhoods. These services are delivered at no cost to the recipient. Our work revitalizes communities and preserves home ownership. For more information, visit www.rebuildingtogetherboston.org.

The New England Center for Homeless Veterans is a private, non-profit organization with a mission to extend a helping hand to homeless men and women veterans who are addressing the challenges of addiction, trauma, severe and persistent mental illness, and/or unemployment, and who will commit themselves to sobriety, non-violence, and working for personal change. Recognized as one of the most effective private veteran's transition programs in the country, the NECHV is celebrating its 20th year in service to veterans. Learn more at www.nechv.org.

Heroes at Home is a program Sears Holdings has created in partnership with Rebuilding Together in response to an urgent need to assist military families facing hardship. Rebuilding Together, the nation's largest all volunteer home rehabilitation organization, is committed to bringing warmth, safety and accessibility to homeowners who do not have the financial or physical resources to complete home repairs and other necessary improvements. By providing necessary repairs or adaptations to homes, Sears Holdings strives to improve the lives of military families across America. Heroes at Home is one of the many initiatives through which Sears Holdings acknowledges the sacrifice made by our troops every day in the line of duty, while supporting and honoring those heroes who remain at home. Donate to Rebuilding Together or refer a veteran who may need assistance.

SOURCE Rebuilding Together

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