In celebration of Veteran's Day, on Thursday, November 14th, The Home Depot Foundation and the Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI) helped the Nickelsville Homeless Encampment by building sleeping structures and tent platforms for veterans. 80 volunteers including 65 Home Depot Associates joined together at Nickelsville on Jackson to build 6 tent platforms and 3 sturdy wood sleeping structures. The volunteers also painted the existing and new sleeping structures, installed a new storage unit for food and other donations, and created a children's play area. 9 veterans currently live at Nickelsville. The volunteers and Nickelsville residents became a team and worked together all day, making the event a big success.

  

The Celebration of Service Team                           Nickelsville Kids helping out

Home Depot Associates and Volunteers having fun at the build

"We thank The Home Depot Foundation for providing a grant of $14,000 for LIHI to purchase building materials for the tent platforms, sleeping structure, and children's play area so that homeless families including veterans can have a safe place to live at Nickelsville," said Sharon Lee, LIHI's Executive Director. "With the help of Home Depot volunteers, we can help to end homelessness for more veterans."

  

"Many veterans and their families find themselves without a safe place to call home after bravely serving our country," said Kelly Caffarelli, President of The Home Depot Foundation. "Our mission is not only to repair and refurbish the homes and facilities where veterans live and receive services, but also to say 'thank you' for their sacrifices."

  

Since its formation in 2002, The Home Depot Foundation has granted more than $300 million to nonprofit organizations improving homes and lives in local communities. To learn more and see their associates in action, visit www.homedepotfoundation.org.

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The holidays kicked off early this year for LIHI and Nickelsville families. The Seattle Seahawks Women's Association hosted a special Thanksgiving on November 12th for low income families from around the region. Women and children from LIHI's Columbia Court, Frye Hotel, Denny Park Apts., Lakeview, Cate, Meadowbrook, and Nickelsville all attended. Blitz and the Seahawks played games with the kids, autographed posters, and of course served delicious food!  

LIHI Families enjoying Thanksgiving                LIHI Case Manager Charese Jones and Blitz

LIHI Families at Century Link Field                 Seahawks Chefs and Nickelsville Residents

Reporters from Q13 Fox and King 5 were there.  You can see their stories here:

  

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