Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker honored Homes For Our Troops for the delivery of its 250th home by awarding the organization with a Proclamation at a ceremony at the State House on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018.
More than 100 supporters and donors attended the event, where Gov. Baker and State Representative Shaunna O’Connell gave speeches.
Baker highlighted the significance of organizations like HFOT. “This is a very important organization doing really special work on behalf of some men and women who on behalf of our country have played a terribly difficult hand. We take great pride in the quality and commitment of the many private nonprofit organizations who wake up every day trying to figure out how to make life here in Commonwealth and across the country better for Veterans.”
Dawnalee Downing, wife of HFOT home recipient Michael Downing, closed the event by telling the audience how much the home has changed their lives. The Downings received their home in Middleborough, Mass., in 2010. Their home was the 50th one built by HFOT.
“Michael has so much safety in this home. This house is made for him,” Dawnalee says. “Do we have our same normal since before he got hurt? Absolutely not. But in the last eight years, we have created a new normal and we are excelling at it.”
Check out photos from the event below.
