A Christmas miracle from Jared Allen’s Homes for Wounded Warriors will bring peace and comfort to a critically wounded war hero

by | Dec 24, 2020 | News

JAH4WW will give the gift of a mortgage-free, accessible home to U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Chris Burrell

[FAYETTEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA, DECEMBER 23, 2020] Five-Time NFL Pro Bowler and Hall of Fame hopeful, Jared Allen and his foundation, Jared Allen’s Homes for Wounded Warriors (JAH4WW) was overjoyed to surprise United States Army Staff Sergeant Chris Burrell with a Christmas miracle. In honor of his service and sacrifice the foundation has plans to build SSG Burrell, a military amputee and Purple Heart recipient, a mortgage-free, accessible home anywhere in the United States.

On December 26, 2007, Army military policeman, SSG Burrell was leaving on a mission to support Iraqi police when, just 350 meters outside the wire, three explosively formed penetrators destroyed his vehicle, took his left leg above the knee, severely damaged his right leg and left him with a traumatic brain injury.

Before being medically evacuated he called his then five-year old-daughter and bravely, he told her “Daddy had a boo-boo.”

After surviving his alive day, Burrell wasn’t willing to accept the medical discharge that was nearly an inevitability based on his severe wounds. He immersed himself in his rehabilitation and in spite of the odds stacked against him, fought to stay on active duty. In the summer of 2010, through sheer will and determination, he got his wish and returned to Fort Bragg to continue his military career.

There he serves today and manages his brigade’s canine program, overseeing an operation that includes 112 military working dogs. In Spring of 2021, he will reach his amazing goal of serving through his retirement in the Army.

After receiving the call from Jared Allen and JAH4WW Executive Director, Alex Karalexis, SSG Burrell said, “I am in shock. I actually broke down into tears after the call. Besides my daughter’s birth, this is the greatest thing to ever happen. I just feel so fortunate.”

“There are few greater joys than to call a military hero – like Chris – to tell them we are going to build them a house.” said Jared Allen “And to do it at Christmas time, days just before he celebrates the 13th anniversary of his Alive Day is a blessing. There is no one more deserving.”

Click here to watch a video of the phone call. 

To stay up-to-date on the latest with SSG Burrell’s build and to learn more about  follow JAH4WW on Facebook and Instagram.

Staff Sergeant Chris Burrell

Staff Sergeant Chris Burrell

by | Dec 23, 2020 | Meet Warriors

Military Branch: United States Army
Location: North Carolina
Build Completion: March 7th, 2023

Jared Allen’s Home for Wounded is overjoyed to announce a new home recipient, Staff Sergeant Chris Burrell.

As an Army military policeman, SSG Burrell was leaving on a mission to support Iraqi police that day when, just 350 meters outside the wire, three explosively formed penetrators destroyed his vehicle, took his left leg above the knee, severely damaged his right leg and left him with a traumatic brain injury.

Before being medically evacuated he called his then five-year old-daughter and bravely, he told her “Daddy had a boo-boo.”

After surviving his alive day, the Burrell wasn’t willing to accept the medical discharge that was nearly an inevitability based on his severe wounds. He immersed himself in his rehabilitation and despite the odds stacked against him, fought to stay on active duty. In the summer of 2010, through sheer will and determination, he got his wish and returned to Fort Bragg to continue his military career.

There he serves today and manages his brigade’s canine program, overseeing an operation that includes 112 military working dogs. In Spring of 2021, he will reach his amazing goal of serving through his retirement in the Army. He is very focused on transitioning in a way that will bring stability for his future.

After receiving the call from Executive Director, Alex Karalexis and Jared Allen SSG Burrell said this “I’m in shock. I broke down into tears after that call. Besides my daughter’s birth, this is the greatest thing to ever happen. I just feel so fortunate.”

Please join us in thanking SSG Burrell for his service and sacrifice by signing his guest book below. To donate to his build go to https://support.jah4ww.com/give

THANK YOU to all our donors and partners that allow to continue to serve those serve us! If you are interested in becoming a sponsor for the SSG Burrell home, email [email protected] for more information.

To stay up to date on the latest with is home build and to learn more about his story, make sure you are following us on Facebook and Instagram.

MESSAGES FROM SUPPORTERS

SAY THANK YOU TO Staff Sergeant Chris Burrell

MEDIA COVERAGE

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U.S. Army

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The Outer Banks Voice

Fort Bragg wounded warrior returns to duty as a military working dog handler

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Thanking him for his service: Foundation builds home for wounded vet

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VIDEOS

SSG Chris Burrell Key Ceremony

The unexpected phone call that will change SSG Burrell’s life
Just in time to celebrate the SSG Burrell’s 13th Alive Day, JAH4WW calls him with big news.

Event Photos

SSG Chris Burrell Key Ceremony

Special Thank You

A critically wounded Veteran and Purple Heart recipient will receive a mortgage-free home from Jared Allen’s Homes for Wounded Warriors

A critically wounded Veteran and Purple Heart recipient will receive a mortgage-free home from Jared Allen’s Homes for Wounded Warriors

by | Dec 15, 2020 | News

The Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights will construct the 100% accessible, injury-specific custom built Michigan home

[MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, DECEMBER 11, 2020] During this season of giving five-Time NFL Pro Bowler Jared Allen and his foundation, Jared Allen’s Homes for Wounded Warriors (JAH4WW) and their partners, the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights, are overjoyed to announced plans to build a mortgage-free, accessible home in Harrisville, Michigan for a United States Army Veteran and Purple Heart recipient, Army Specialist (SPC) Bobby Body.

Following the attacks on 9/11, Body was compelled to defend his country and enlisted in the U.S. Army. Five years later, on February 12, 2006 he was on a routine mission in Afghanistan when his Humvee was struck by a roadside bomb, resulting in injuries that ultimately led to making the arduous decision to amputate his lower left leg. 

14-years later, Bobby is currently undergoing multiple surgeries for a new prosthesis and recovering in a home where the absence of accessible features can lead to further injuries and daily difficulties.

“The freedom to enjoy the beauty of a Christmas tree or the glow from a menorah is owed to veterans, like Army Specialist Bobby Body.” said Allen. “His service has allowed us celebrate the holidays enjoying the comforts of our home, and we believe he deserves the same.” 

The custom home will be 100-percent accessible and tailored specifically to accommodate SPC Body’s injuries and will include adaptations making it easier him to live his daily life in the comfort of a home that works for him. When decking the home for a wounded Veteran it’s more than boughs of holly. The home will be a continuation of the foundation’s partnership nationwide with the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and will include a roll-in shower, zero threshold entries and roll under counter tops and sinks. 

“We are so proud to partner with Jared Allen’s Home for Wounded Warriors,” said Tom Lutz, Executive Secretary Treasurer of the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights. “The men and women in this labor union work every day to build the world we want to live in. Army Specialist Bobby Body is a great example of the kind of person who deserves the best America has to offer and we are grateful for his service.”

“It’s hard to imagine all of the ways our new home will allow us live comfortably and focus on family.” said Bobby Body. “I am so excited and grateful to have been chosen to be a JAH4WW home recipient and looking forward to celebrating our first Christmas there in 2021.” 

To stay up to date on Bobby’s home build, follow Jared Allen’s Home for Wounded Warriors on Facebook and Instagram at @JAH4WW. Donations can be made at https://deckthehome.funraise.org/

ABOUT JARED ALLENS HOMES FOR WOUNDED WARRIORS:
Jared Allen’s Homes for Wounded Warriors is a non-profit organization created for the sole purpose of raising money to build or modify homes for America’s injured Military Veterans. Jared Allen’s Homes for Wounded Warriors was established in October of 2009 after NFL Star, Jared Allen returned home from a trip to the US Military Bases in the Middle East.  Jared was moved by the commitment, dedication and sacrifices that our soldiers make every day to protect our freedom.  It is Jared’s hope that this foundation will help make the lives of wounded vets a little bit easier. Since its inception JAH4WW has built 17 homes with 3 homes currently under construction in Tennessee, Michigan and California. For more information please visit: http://www.jah4ww.com


ABOUT THE MICHIGAN REGIONAL COUNCIL OF CARPENTERS AND MILLWRIGHTS (MRCC):
The MRCC is the largest skilled trades labor union in Michigan, representing more than 14,000 of the best trained men and women in the construction industry. Nationally, we partner with Helmets to Hardhats to recruit veterans into the skilled trades, making us one of the largest employers of veterans in the construction industry. Our members, together with our contractor partners, help build the largest construction projects in the state, including universities, power stations, industrial buildings, and residential homes. Union carpenters and millwrights get extensive training in state-of-the-art methods and equipment during a four-year apprenticeship that produces the best skilled professional worker fully certified by the U.S. Department of Labor. To join, text MRCCAPP to (855) 424.2562.