[WESLEY CHAPEL, FL, FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 2021] Five-Time NFL Pro Bowler and Hall of Fame hopeful, Jared Allen and his foundation, Jared Allen’s Homes for Wounded Warriors (JAH4WW) along with their partners at the Army Ranger Lead the Way Fund and the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and the Florida Regional Council, presented the keys to another brand new, mortgage-free, injury-specific accessible home. The home, in Wesley Chapel, FL was built for local wounded Army Ranger Travis Dunn and his family.
Army Ranger Staff Sergeant Travis Dunn was presented with the Bronze Star Medal for Valor and the Purple Heart after being wounded in combat on December 2, 2014 in Afghanistan. On that day, SSG Dunn and a group of Rangers with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, and Afghan special operations soldiers were on a joint operation in Nangarhar Province when they came under attack. The group sustained six hours of direct fire engagement. Despite the assault, the unit cleared multiple insurgent-held compounds and killed more than 25 enemy fighters in addition to rescuing a wounded Ranger. SSG Dunn showed great bravery in the exchange, closing with an armed enemy in a close ambush, as well as on three barricaded shooters. During the assault, SSG Dunn was shot in the upper torso and fell from an embankment, resulting in paraplegia. Despite being paralyzed from the waist down, he remains positive.
“For six years following his injuries SSG Dunn, his wife Kelley and their daughter have been living in a home that does not accommodate the injuries he sustained while he served our country.” said Jared Allen. “It is our privilege to give him the home he deserves in honor of his service and sacrifice.”
Army Ranger Lead The Way, Jared Allen’s Homes for Wounded Warriors and its national and local partners hoped to honor his service and sacrifice to our country Friday when they turned over the keys to the brand new home designed by SSG Dunn and his wife Kelly. To ease Dunn’s daily challenges, the home is designed to be fully compliant with the American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA) with features that include: an open floor plan, wider hallways and doorways to accommodate wheelchair, scooter and prosthetic use; roll under countertops and sinks; and arguably most importantly, bathroom accessibility amenities that include barrier-free showers with roll-in access, grab bars, seating and a height adjustable shower head. The home was built by W.W Gay Mechanical Contractor Inc, out of Jacksonville, FL.
“It’s the simple things like bringing in groceries, cooking a meal or taking a shower that will have the most impact on my day-to-day life in our new home. So, it’s hard to imagine all of the ways a home specifically designed to accommodate my injuries will allow me and my family to live a more comfortable life.” said SSG Dunn. “I am incredibly grateful to everyone who helped give my family the American dream.”
The home for SSG. Dunn is a continuation of the strong collaboration between Jared Allen’s Homes for Wounded Warriors, Army Ranger Lead the Way Fund and the United Brotherhood of Carpenters nationwide. The foundation is currently building five additional homes across the country with the help of the UBC and this marks the fourth home built in partnership with Army Ranger Lead The Way Fund.
To learn more about SSG Dunn and his story, stay up-to-date on the latest with his build, or to make a donation, go to www.jah4ww.com or follow the foundation on Facebook and Instagram.
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: www.jah4ww.com
ABOUT ARMY RANGER LEAD THE WAY FUND:
Founded in 2007, Army Ranger Lead The Way Fund, a 501c3 Non-Profit, is an active duty, casualty assistance, recovery, transition And Veterans organization that provides financial support, beyond what the government and Veterans Affairs can offer to the Rangers and families of the elite Special Operations 75th Ranger Regiment. For more information please visit: www.leadthewayfund.org
FLORIDA CARPENTERS REGIONAL COUNCIL
Thousands of professional carpenters and pile drivers go to work every day in Florida and provide a win-win scenario for the contractors and project owners who employ them. These men and women are local, trained, safe, experienced hands working from a foundation of an international skill trade. They are all members of the Florida Carpenters Regional Council, which is an affiliate of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America.
The 2021 Ms. Health & Fitness competition is underway and for the fifth consecutive year, Jared Allen’s Homes for Wounded Warriors is honored to be the beneficiary of a minimum donation of 25% of the net proceeds earned from votes purchased during the competition.
check for over one million dollars at an event celebrating the current build for U.S. Army Green Beret Sergeant First Class Joe Lowrey on Friday, June 4, 2021.
