Our participation with ABC Television's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition program
In this image, released by ABC, former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell,
left, shakes hands with disabled Gulf War veteran U.S. Army Combat Medic Jeff
Cooper, as his wife Clara Cooper looks on, in Washington on March 20, 2009. Powell
met with Cooper to thank him for his service as part of an episode for the ABC series
"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," which aired on Sunday, May 3, 2009. (AP Photo/ABC,
Fred Watkins)
On March 6, 2009, Affordable Closet Systems, Inc., along with Edenton Builders and a host of volunteers partnered with ABC's hit show, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, to build a home for an American hero in Jamesville, North Carolina.
Jeff Cooper, his wife Clara, their daughter (Windy), and their son (Aaron), exemplify heroism in the face of tremendous hardship. Jeff was a combat medic with the U. S. Army in the Gulf War—Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm—in the early 1990s. He came home from combat highly decorated for his service but, tragically, suffering from Gulf War Syndrome. Now confined to a wheelchair, Jeff has serious immune disorders and multiple sclerosis.
Jeff is not the only Cooper facing tough challenges. Aaron was terribly injured when he was run over by a garbage truck two years ago. Using his medic's skills, Jeff was able to save Aaron's life, but the boy lost most of his right arm and has survived several surgeries since. (For more information about the Coopers, visit www.extremeebheroes.com.)
We were tasked with creating melamine closet systems for the homes three bedrooms: the master, the daughter's and the son's rooms. The closet systems in the master and in Aaron's room had to be handicapped accessible, due to their special physical needs. One of the ways we addressed this need was through installing a hydraulic pull-down hanging rod that Jeff could reach from his wheelchair.
It took us from 5:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 12, to install all three closets. It was an exciting opportunity to come together with others from the community to make a difference in a deserving family's life! The house was completed in one week and we were there to see the excited family welcomed into their new home. The show aired on ABC, on Sunday, May 3, 2009.
We care about our community! Here are other ways Affordable Closet Systems, Inc. has given back to our local community:
- Master closet donated to injured veteran Jonathan Bartlett, through “Homes For Our Troops”, in Chesapeake, Virginia (2009)
- His and hers master closets donated to the Conner Glenn House, benefitting Children's Hospital for the King's Daughter's Charity at Homearama (2008)
- Master Closet donated to the Designer House in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, to benefit the Arts of the Albemarle (2008)