November 16, 2016 Deck for a Soldier® Update:

The New Jersey Deck for a Soldier® build is for a young soldier who served in the Marines in Iraq and Afghanistan from 2007 – 2011 and was in the Inactive Reserve from 2011 – 2015.  A little over a year ago, he was on his way to work one morning as an electrician apprentice on his motorcycle when he was hit by an elderly gentleman.  He was in a coma for 45 days and was left with nerve damage in his eyes and right leg.  He lost part of his left leg.  His mom had to quit her job to help take care of him.  Friends all joined together to donate money to help him buy a house, but it only has a front entrance and no outdoor living space.  We are planning on installing a sliding door in the kitchen and a deck on the rear of the home to give them a second entrance, as well as, a place to enjoy the outdoors.

We have the deck framing, decking and railings. We are still in need of:

  • A door, The framing, insulation and trim necessary for the door install
  • Wood posts to support the deck
  • Misc. hardware,
  • Lighting
  • Porta-potty
  • Lunch
  • Monetary donations for small items

If you feel moved to help with this project, please go to the NADRA website and fill out the online pledge form, it would be greatly appreciated.

Here is the design for this project so far:

October 2016, Deck for a Soldier® Update:

NADRA New Jersey volunteers are still looking for additional material, labor and especially, monetary pledges, for the upcoming Deck For A Soldier® project in New Jersey. We do have quite a few decking material pledges but are still in need of some items like hardware, a sliding door, money for permit fees and builders to help with the labor. This build is for a young soldier who did two tours of duty and was severely hurt in a motorcycle accident after he returned home. We are planning to start this build in mid – late December. We are looking for material and labor donations to help with this project. If you would kindly go to the NADRA website and fill out the online pledge form, it would be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,
Bruce Verblaauw
NADRA Deck for a Soldier®/Deck for a Hero® Committee Chair