In what was part team-building exercise and part philanthropy project, team members of Central Oregon based Hayden Homes worked together on Veterans Day to build 50 wheelchairs for Northwest veterans facing mobility challenges.
Approximately 270 Hayden Homes employees from across the Northwest gathered on November 11, 2016 to participate in the Build-a-Wheelchair® event, a team-building social responsibility program born out of a desire to help American veterans with mobility challenges. Small groups of Hayden Homes team members worked together to assemble, test and decorate the new wheelchairs before engaging in an obstacle course maneuverability challenge.
“It’s not by chance that Hayden Homes team members are a generous group of individuals,” said Steve Klingman, president of Hayden Homes. “We’re committed to hiring people who believe that a fulfilling life starts with the spirit of generosity. When we unveiled the wheelchair-building challenge, our team members enthusiastically rolled up their sleeves to help make life a little easier for deserving veterans who may be struggling back home.”
After completion, the 50 wheelchairs were distributed to five Northwest regions in which Hayden Homes does business, including the Willamette Valley, Central Oregon, the Tri-Cities/Walla Walla area in Washington, the Spokane and Coeur d’Alene areas in Washington and North Idaho, and the Treasure Valley in southwestern Idaho.
Hayden Homes then partnered with local veterans outreach and advocacy groups in each region to identify 10 veterans in need.
According to Disabled American Veterans, the number of veterans with service-related injuries and illnesses has skyrocketed to more than 3.6 million men and women today, up from 2 million just 12 years ago. By the year 2020, the number is expected to grow to 4 million.