Business View Magazine - September 2016 21
older veterans. Joining in the cause are the Southeast-
ern Credit Union League, serving 298 credit unions in
Florida and Alabama; Georgia Credit Union Affiliates,
with 121 credit union members; and the Cornerstone
Credit Union League, serving approximately 500 credit
unions in Oklahoma, Texas, and Arkansas.
John Gallina and Dale Beatty, cofounders of Purple
Heart Homes, are Iraq veterans who were severely
wounded in combat, and know, firsthand, the strug-
gles encountered by returning soldiers. Gallina shared,
“We were taught to never leave a soldier behind on the
battlefield, and we are committed to not leaving them
behind at home.”
The number is staggering – more than nine million US
military veterans age 65 and older are living in Ameri-
ca today. “It is going to take a movement to thank all of
them,” said Gallina, “but we’ll do it, remembering their
sacrifice by helping renovate veterans’ homes. This is
why we are launching this campaign with participating
credit unions and their state associations.”
The National Association of Home Builders is also on
board. Working directly with participating credit unions,
the NAHB provides member building contractors who
volunteer as “team captains” for each veteran home
renovation project.
Strategic operations
Credit unions are renowned for personal involvement
in their communities; leading philanthropic pursuits
and supporting outstanding achievement. Those tak-
ing part in Operation Veteran Home Renovation begin
the job by identifying a veteran whose house needs a
redo in order for that person to remain living there in
comfort and safety. Perhaps a fresh coat of paint, a
Home renovations for Navy Veteran Charles Lawrence, Army Veteran Jacob Anthony, Marine Veteran Ger-
ald Ashley, Earl Wright Marine Veteran with Dave Willis Tinker Federal Credit Union EVP/COO and Mike
Kloiber Tinker Federal Credit Union President and CEO (PRNewsFoto/Purple Heart Homes)
