 That's a photo of 20-year-old Marine LCpl Steven Schulz. Even in that little snapshot, you can see his strength and how he's ready to take on the world. 
That's an image of Steven after his service in Iraq. A roadside bomb destroyed the Humvee Steven was traveling in, leaving him bound to a wheelchair with severe and permanent brain injuries. Immediately after the accident, Steven's mom took months off from work to move across the country to be by his side while he recovered at Walter Reed Medical Center. The financial strain on the family was devastating. Miraculously, Steven survived and was released from the hospital... ...but Steven still needed round-the-clock care. He couldn't get out of bed on his own, take a shower without help, never mind live alone. And with their limited resources, Steven's parents lied awake at night wondering how they'd afford to transform their home to help take care of Steven. That's when Operation Finally Home stepped in and remodeled the Schulz home with wider doorways and a wheelchair ramp... replaced the carpets with tiles for his wheelchair... overhauled the bathrooms so Steven could be lifted in and out of the tub easily... and so much more. With faith in God and a servant's heart, Operation Finally Home builds hope through providing or improving homes for America's veterans, first responders, and their families. And we do that by relying on the generosity of patriotic Americans like you. Thousands more wounded, ill, and injured veterans and first responders like Steven need your help to live comfortably and affordably. Will you help them by making a contribution to Operation Finally Home today? U.S. Army SFC Richard Stayskal began his service in 2001 with the Marine Corp where he served as a machine gunner and scout sniper. While in Iraq, Richard was critically wounded by heavy sniper fire - sustaining a gunshot wound striking his left lung. Still drawn to serve his country, Stayskal re-enlisted in the U.S. Army a year later where he became a Weapons Sergeant in the Army Special Forces. But even with all of Richard's bravery and perseverance, his family's life changed forever after he was diagnosed with Stage 3a lung cancer in 2017. And it got even worse when his diagnosis elevated to terminal Stage 4 about a year later. With two young daughters, Richard and Megan spent weeks wondering how they'd afford to keep the roof over their heads and food on the table after Richard passed on. So, Operation Finally Home reached out to the community with an urgent request... Help us build and donate a home to the Stayskal family, 100% mortgage free. First, a generous patriot in Aberdeen, North Carolina offered to donate the land. Then, Cushman & Wakefield and Daniel Adams Construction - two local home-building companies - offered to donate their time and expertise. Finally - and most importantly - hundreds of folks from around the country helped us raise the money needed to pay for the wood, the tools, the tiles, the appliances... everything we needed to build the Stayskal family a brand-new home. Thanks to the outpouring of love and financial contributions from so many generous Americans, Operation Finally Home built Richard and his family a brand-new home and donated it to them 100% mortgage-free. Now, Richard and Megan never again have to worry about how they'll keep the roof over their daughters' heads after Richard sadly passes on. But that's why I'm e-mailing you today, friend. Right now, thousands more veterans, first responders, and military families are having the same tough conversations... facing the same fears as to how they'll afford to take care of their families with the injuries they sustained fighting for our freedom. And the only way Operation Finally Home can attempt to ease their pain and stress is with your help. Will you please consider sending Operation Finally Home a gift of $35 or more today to help provide more wounded, ill, and injured veterans and first responders with their very own mortgage-free home? And every dollar give doesn't just provide a home to a deserving wounded veteran, first responder, or military family. Your contributions give these heroes the gift of a loving community to remind them every single day just how thankful we are for their sacrifices. And in the case of heroes like LCpl Steven Schulz and Army SFC Richard Stayskal - you help their families survive after the most unfathomable tragedies strike. I hope that I can count on you to help Operation Finally Home give back to our wounded veterans and first responders. God Bless, Rusty Carroll |
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