Homes For Heroes

To the Editor:

Building Homes for Heroes would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank You” to those who volunteered and participated in their fundraiser at Hot Shots on Sunday, August 29, as well as the entire Newtown Community. The luau benefit was held on behalf of a special American Hero: Army Specialist Brendan Marrocco. Brendan is a young soldier, only 23 years old, a quadruple amputee from a roadside bomb explosion in Iraq on Easter Sunday 2009 (see Brendan’s story at www.buildinghomesforheroes.org).

Hot Shots Grille generously volunteered their restaurant and food at a no cost basis to Building Homes for Heroes. The Hot Shots staff worked tirelessly to provide a wonderful meal for all who came to the event. There were also several wonderful people who donated hours of their time to make this event come together. Without all of these volunteers, none of this would have been possible.

We thank i95 Radio for their extensive donations of time and services, and Liberty Closet & Garage Company of Danbury who provided cabinets and tool boxes for raffle prizes. We also thank Budweiser, Main Stage Sound, The 2nd Advance, J&P Entertainment, and The Newtown Bee for providing their time and services for this important event. Additionally Building Homes for Heroes would like to thank the Stephen Siller Foundation who is our partner in building this home for Brendan.

A Huge Salute goes out to the Newtown VFW Post 308, the Ladies Auxiliary to the Newtown VFW Post 308, and the Bethel VFW Post 935 for their very generous donations and letters. These US Veterans and the Auxiliary bonded together to raise a significant amount of money to help provide a home for Brendan. Their commanders also enjoyed a delicious lunch out on the deck at Hot Shots; thank you for your time.

Many people brought gifts and notes for Brendan, including a wonderful 9/11 Flag Memorial T-shirt from Howard Lasher on Route 302 in Newtown. All who came to the event were invited to sign a large banner, provided by Budweiser, which will be mailed to Brendan at Walter Reed Hospital.

Building Homes for Heroes is a Northeast, not for profit organization that builds or refurbishes homes for severely wounded soldiers. The most recently renovated home was for Staff Sargeant William Castillo in Orlando, Fla., completed just this past month, and the moving in ceremony was Wednesday September 1. For more information on this foundation, please visit www.BuildingHomesforHeroes.org.

Liz Sortino

Tony Sigillito

Director of Building Homes for Heroes

13 Turkey Roost Road, Sandy Hook                 September 2, 2010