Past Winners of the Beacon of Hope Contest

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Uplifting Veterans With a

2023 Beacon of Hope Winners

GIGI M

HARRINGTON PARK, NJ
UNITED STATES

Gigi is a hard working, determined woman who enlisted in the Army during her senior year of high school, in order to help with college. During her sophomore year she was deployed to Iraq for 12 months. Gigi left the service in 2006 to raise her children, before re-entering service in 2015 to attend Officer Candidacy School where she commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant, before she was ultimately forced to leave service again due to a back injury. She is in desperate need of a new roof, but simply lacks the funds to pay for a new install. - Brian M.

KIM Y.

HOUSTON, TX
CANADA

This couple is comprised of a husband and wife that both fought in the Korean War. They risked their lives to fight for what is right and now live in a house with a roof that leaks every time it rains. This is ruining their home, and it is disheartening to know that two courageous, selfless individuals have to live with such a heaven burden on them. The family deserves to live worry-free in a home after fighting for all of us to live a better life. They are such wonderful people that constantly tend to the needs of others, but live in an extremely unhealthy environment. – Christina R.

THOMAS K.

PEMBROKE, ONTARIO
CANADA

Tom served close to 30 years in the CAF (Army) and was deployed on 4 tours, including Iraq, Rwanda and two to Afghanistan. Tom has always “done” for others and often pushed through physical pain to do so, as both his knees are completely destroyed from years of marching and his service. I am very proud of Tom and his service to our country. He has lost friends to PTSD and IEDs and he continues to support those who continue to battle both physical and mental injuries. His pension is certainly not enough to facilitate paying for a new roof, despite the shingles completely curling up and the various leaks, which he simply patches up to try and extend the life of the roof a little longer. - Jean Grant-K.

ASHLEY H.

NEW KENSINGTON, PA
UNITED STATES

Ashley has been in the Military for 6 years now and just reenlisted for another 6 years. She is a hard worker who is not only in the Military but has a full-time job & goes to college (off & on). She is so young but so diligent and you do not see that as often in the younger generations. On top of her busy work schedule, she is one of the care givers for her paralyzed father. When she was 12 years old, she was swimming in the backyard with her father and siblings. Her father dove into the pool and broke his neck paralyzing him from the chest down. With him being paralyzed there is not much income going through the home to be able to afford a new roof. - Emmaleigh C.

GARY D.

JOPPA, MD
UNITED STATES

Gary is a retired Veteran of The US Army who when thought was going to Vietnam was instead sent to Germany to serve his tour as a Turret mechanic, then transferred to Bravo repairing tanks. During that time Gary was dedicated to continuing to help his fellow troops by donating blood every 2 weeks for Vietnam. In 1993 while working at Aberdeen Proving grounds, Gary was hospitalized after undergoing an ERCP test that caused him pancreatitis and stomach issues leaving him never to return to good health again. The gratitude this family would have for a roof to keep them dry would go beyond words. - Don and Michele R.

JENNIFER R.

DELTA, PA
UNITED STATES

SGT Jennifer R. is a Pennsylvania Army National Guard Member who recently found out she has aggressive cervical cancer. She is a single mom who is unable to work 40 hours a week as a truck driver due to health/treatment. She was so sick during Annual Training she was released early. Jennifer is a Veteran serving in 2020-2021 OEF and was referred to me for help with roof replacement. Helping her with this would allow her to focus her energy on treatment and getting well. At this time, Jennifer is unsure her roof can make it through a hard winter with heavy snow. - Monica K.

MAXIME G.

ST-DONAT-DE-MONTCALM, QUEBEC
CANADA

I am Maxime's spouse and have been with him now for 20 years. He was released in 2016 after his mission in Afghanistan, where he came back with severe PTSD. Through the years, we have had struggles, but we always found a way to get over them. I think it would be his biggest surprise and relief to know that our roof would finally be fixed, and he could put more energy on other things (the rest of the exterior of the house, homeschooling, and other issues that we have) to finally say that we are comfortable in our house that we always wanted. To all the vets, thank you for your service and for being devoted to the CAF. - Myrna R.

SOMMER G.

RED BLUFF, CA
UNITED STATES

Sommer is a Marine Corp veteran, and her husband Trevor is an Army veteran. Sommer fought in OIF III and IV. Since being out in 2008 she has dedicated her life to serving at-risk youth. She is currently the principal at a juvenile hall and works tirelessly to serve adjudicated youth across 6 counties. She is also a survivor of domestic abuse and sexual assault while in the military. She bought her house a year ago and just found mold, water damage, and termites devouring her roof. Trevor, an Afghanistan vet is disabled but works hard at what he can on the home. – Sommer G.

AMERICAN LEGION POST 72

CHENEY, WA
UNITED STATES

American Legion Post 72 has been a meeting place for veterans (and heroes) and their families for over 70 years. Our Post has 148 active members, 60+ S.O.N.S. and 78 Auxiliary members. The roof has needed replacing for several years, but members repaired it and we limped along in the past. As a nonprofit, we raise money to reinvest in our veterans, scholarships for children of veterans, meals to recognize our veterans and their sacrifices, and to honor boy scouts to name a few of our functions. We also provide a meeting place for our local VFW as they don't have their own building. - Rebecca V.

VFW POST 4639

WILLIAMSBURG, VA
UNITED STATES

Our Post provides a vital link to four other service organizations that use our space monthly, the American Red Cross blood drive, Veterans breakfast and Food Drives to assist those in need. We have a very active post that is continuously donating its time within the community. Our roof has weathered countless storms, but time has taken its toll. Recent heavy rains have caused leaks, leading to water damage inside our Post home to the point we removed the chimney stack completely and patched the area. We fear that further delays could compromise our Post home safety and well-being of the roof structure itself. - Michael I.

2022 Beacon of Hope Winners

MATTHEW A.

NEWNAN, GA
UNITED STATES

Matt served in the Army and did three combat tours in Iraq. Unfortunately, he was injured (internal/nerve damage/PTSD) when a lower house level blew up beneath him. After being honorably discharged, Matt was lucky enough to be given “Jet”, his service dog. Regardless of what Matt has been dealt, he is always there for others. He and his family were so proud when they were able to purchase their home, however, the roof needs repairs. Together with his wife and son, Matthew lives in Newnan, Georgia.

MARGOT B.

TRENTON, ON
CANADA

Master Corporal Margot B. is a Canadian Armed Forces Medic who has dedicated her life to helping others. Throughout her career, her Chain of Command often recognized her as performing above and beyond her call of duty. Today she lives with her spouse David, who is also in the Armed Forces, and their two children in Trenton Ontario, Canada. She continues to serve others by organizing special events for Veterans to help them recover from the traumas inflicted by their service for our country.

STEVEN G.

MURPHY, NC
UNITED STATES

Steven served his country for 20 years in the United States Marine Corps, retiring as a Gunnery Sergeant. After retirement, he started having issues walking and it took the VA years to finally diagnose Steven with MS. Now unable to walk, he spends most of his life in a power wheelchair. Steven manages to wheel around in his yard, raking leaves and such, doing what he can. He and his wife Becky teach a Sunday School class at his church and are an inspiration to others. Unfortunately, his insurance company just dropped coverage of his roof this year. Steven and his wife reside in Murphy, NC.

RALPH H.

TAYLORSTOWN, PA
UNITED STATES

Ralph H. voluntarily enlisted in the Army and served for three years in Germany. He then received an honorary discharge. Due to health reasons, Ralph is now almost completely bed ridden making home maintenance impossible. Ralph and his wife are trying to save for a new roof, but as everything has gone up in price, it has become very difficult. They have a good neighbor that has made small repairs to their roof in hopes that it will last until a new roof is in their budget. Unfortunately, they are fearful that it will not last through the winter. Ralph and his wife reside in Taylorstown, PA.

VFW POST 7302

HEMLOCK, MI
UNITED STATES

VFW Post 7302 strives to create a vibrant place for our local Veterans and active-duty soldiers to join and find the support they need. One of the most welcoming features of Post 7302, are the ceiling tiles. These tiles memorialize those who served and were part of our local community and did not make it home and to honor our Post members who have served and came back to US soil. Post 7302's roof is in desperate need of repair, and there is much water damage on the tiles that we use to honor and memorialize our local Veterans. It is becoming more difficult to create a vibrant place to serve our local Veterans and families when they cannot afford this basic necessity - roof repairs.

ANN Q.

SAN DIEGO, CA
UNITED STATES

Annie, also known as "Granny Annie," served in the United States Army. Also a widow of a Veteran, Annie is facing financial issues. At 71, Annie is still an active girl scout leader, bakes cookies for many high school sport meets, and cares deeply for her community. Recently she battled cancer and is now in remission. She lives in constant stress worrying over the roof that she cannot afford to replace. Stress cannot be good for her cancer. Despite facing adversity, Annie continues to help others, even providing them with a roof over their heads in her own home. She gave a roof from her heart and now she deserves a roof for her home. Annie resides in San Diego, CA.

FRANCOIS R.

SHAWINIGAN, QC
CANADA

Francois R. is a cadet at the Cadet Instructors Cadre (CIC) and a volunteer member of the Royal Canadian Legion. Francois comes from a proud military family where his father, uncle and brother all served. It was his family that inspired him to enlist in the military at the age of 46 to serve his country, Canada. As a homeowner of a tiny house, his roof deserves a little love. Francois lives in Shawinigan, Quebec.

RANDY R.

WOODBRIDGE, VA
UNITED STATES

Randy served 4 years in the Marine Corps and in that time, he deployed to Afghanistan for 7 months. During his time in combat, his vehicle was struck by an I.E.D where he and 3 other Marines suffered lifelong injuries from the blast. Randy led the convoy that day, and after the blast his first thought was to make sure his fellow Marines were okay. It was a miracle they all survived and till this day, he checks up on his Marines. After he got out of the military, he battled with PTSD and with his transition out of the Marines. Shortly after the birth of his son, an opportunity arose for him in Virginia to work as a contractor. Once in Virginia, it was very difficult for him to keep the family afloat due to the job falling through. Eventually, Randy landed a good job at a college campus and thanks to his service in the military, he was able to secure a VA loan for a home for his family. Randy lives in Woodbridge, Virginia with his wife and son.

KUULEME S.

TUCSON, AZ
UNITED STATES

Kuuleme served in the US Navy during the Gulf War era. She is medically retired with injuries to her knees, back and neck. She also now suffers from Lupus. Despite these ailments, Kuuleme is working to raise her two children along with two nieces that have special needs. In addition to her duties as head of household, caregiver, and mother, Kuuleme works as a Service Officer in Disabled American Veterans (DAV). In this role, she assists other disabled Veterans in filing claims with various organizations and assisting with much needed services and counseling. Kuuleme is also an advocate for Crime Victims United assisting victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse. The fight for everyone to have a safe, healthy, and secure home did not end with her Navy retirement, it continues today. The roof on her home needs replacing and the cost is beyond her means. Kuuleme, who provides hope to so many, could use a Beacon of Hope.

CLIFFORD T.

PHIPPSBURG, ME
UNITED STATES

Specialist Joe Y. is a Vietnam War Veteran, retired Specialist and Purple Heart Recipient. The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name...

Tim served seven years between active duty in the U.S. Air Force and the...

READ MORE SECOND PRIZE WINNER

2019 Beacon of Hope Winners

”We are committed to helping Veterans that live and work in our communities, and the Beacon of Hope contest is just one way that we can support our Veterans who have served our country and are facing adversity in the years following their service. We are honored to give back to these deserving Veterans and their families.“

- Jamie Samide, Beacon’s Vice President of Marketing