Community Members Band Together to Rebuild Home for Local Veteran
Lane County, OR (July 6, 2021) — A snowstorm and a dishonest contractor left a disabled veteran and his family without a suitable home. Now, community members and local business owners are working together to rebuild the veteran’s home — giving back to a man who has given so much for his country.
Jason Southmayd is a veteran of the U.S. Army and the U.S. Marine Corps who suffered several injuries while serving in Kuwait and Iraq. Nearly 50 surgeries later, daily activities are difficult for Jason and his wife, Misty, who serves as his caretaker. Still, Jason spends his time helping other wounded veterans and volunteering with children.
In 2019, an extreme snowstorm knocked a tree onto their roof, severely damaging the family’s home. To make matters worse, the contractor the Southmayds hired performed shoddy work, didn’t complete the repairs and took off with their money. With their children in tow, the Southmayds were forced to flee their unsafe home and driven into a long period of difficult and unwanted displacement. Enter the good citizens and business leaders of Lane County, Oregon, who came up with a plan and set out to change all of that.
John Rouse, the owner of Window World of Portland, is one of several business owners participating in the Southmayd Home Build. The goal of the project is not only to rebuild the Southmayds’ house but to build a home that will accommodate Jason’s military service-related disabilities. Rouse is donating new windows, a sliding door and an entry door for the home.
“Jason put his life on the line and came back a different person with disabilities,” explains Rouse. “One of my children is a veteran of the Army, and another is currently serving. This is personal. I have a lot of respect for veterans, and I want to help them any way I can.”
The project is ongoing, and anyone can help. There is a GoFundMe account set up to help pay for the project.
Window World, America’s largest replacement window and exterior remodeling company, strongly supports the nation’s veterans, members of the military and military families. The Window World Military Initiative defines Window World’s commitment to military members.
About Window World®
Window World®, headquartered in North Wilkesboro, N.C., is America’s largest replacement window and exterior remodeling company, with more than 200 locally owned franchises nationwide. Founded in 1995, the company sells and installs windows, siding, doors and other exterior products, with over 19 million windows sold to date. Window World is an ENERGY STAR® partner and its windows, vinyl siding and Therma-Tru doors have all earned the Good Housekeeping Seal. Through its charitable foundation, Window World Cares®, Window World and its franchisees provide funding for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®. Since its inception in 2008, the foundation has raised over $12 million for St. Jude. Window World also supports veterans and the military through its Window World Military Initiative (WWMI). WWMI defines Window World’s commitment to honor and serve America’s veterans, active military and military families across the entire franchise system by focusing on three pillars: Careers, Community Outreach and Partnerships. The Veterans Airlift Command has been a partner since 2008. During that time, Window World has contributed over $2.5 million in flights and donations to the organization. For more information, visit WindowWorld.com or call 1-800 NEXTWINDOW. For home improvement and energy efficiency tips, décor ideas and more, follow Window World on Facebook and Twitter.