thedrifter
06-11-07, 06:38 AM
Donations help build home for disabled Marine
The Associated Press
Posted : Sunday Jun 10, 2007 15:54:43 EDT
MOBILE, Ala. — Marine Sgt. Greg Edwards, who lost both legs to an explosion while fighting in Iraq, plans to throw out the first ball at an Aug. 3 Mobile BayBears game that’s part of fundraising to build a customized home for his family.
More than $30,000 in donations have poured into area Regions Bank branches toward the construction of the house for the 24-year-old Edwards, his wife, Christina, and their two small children, a bank spokesman said.
Tickets to the BayBears-Birmingham Barons game honoring Edwards will go on sale June 25 at 44 Regions branches in southwest Alabama, according to Terry Ankerson, executive vice president of the bank. He said the tickets will be $8 each.
Ankerson said that half of the ticket proceeds will benefit the building project, which is sponsored by Homes for Our Troops, a Massachusetts-based nonprofit group.
Donations provide 50-60 percent of the construction cost, and Homes for Our Troops helps supply the remainder.
People who would like to contribute can make checks payable to “Homes for Our Troops” and drop them off at any area Regions branch.
Edwards was wounded Oct. 22 when he stepped on an improvised explosive device and is undergoing physical therapy at Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Besides losing his legs, he lost 75 percent of the use of his left hand.
The building project is being headed up for Homes for Our Troops by Larry Gill, 46, of Semmes, who was also seriously injured in Iraq. Gill was serving with the Fairhope-based 1165th Military Police Company, a National Guard unit, when he sustained disabling injuries in 2003 from a grenade tossed by an insurgent.
Gill said project leaders had “found a potential donor” for land for the Edwards house. He said that the land is in the Theodore area.
“We hope to hold a ground-breaking ceremony by the end of this month,” he said.
Gill noted, “We are still seeking commitments” of materials and skilled labor from people in the building trades. He said that people who would like to help out should e-mail him at lgill40@hotmail.com.
Ellie
The Associated Press
Posted : Sunday Jun 10, 2007 15:54:43 EDT
MOBILE, Ala. — Marine Sgt. Greg Edwards, who lost both legs to an explosion while fighting in Iraq, plans to throw out the first ball at an Aug. 3 Mobile BayBears game that’s part of fundraising to build a customized home for his family.
More than $30,000 in donations have poured into area Regions Bank branches toward the construction of the house for the 24-year-old Edwards, his wife, Christina, and their two small children, a bank spokesman said.
Tickets to the BayBears-Birmingham Barons game honoring Edwards will go on sale June 25 at 44 Regions branches in southwest Alabama, according to Terry Ankerson, executive vice president of the bank. He said the tickets will be $8 each.
Ankerson said that half of the ticket proceeds will benefit the building project, which is sponsored by Homes for Our Troops, a Massachusetts-based nonprofit group.
Donations provide 50-60 percent of the construction cost, and Homes for Our Troops helps supply the remainder.
People who would like to contribute can make checks payable to “Homes for Our Troops” and drop them off at any area Regions branch.
Edwards was wounded Oct. 22 when he stepped on an improvised explosive device and is undergoing physical therapy at Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Besides losing his legs, he lost 75 percent of the use of his left hand.
The building project is being headed up for Homes for Our Troops by Larry Gill, 46, of Semmes, who was also seriously injured in Iraq. Gill was serving with the Fairhope-based 1165th Military Police Company, a National Guard unit, when he sustained disabling injuries in 2003 from a grenade tossed by an insurgent.
Gill said project leaders had “found a potential donor” for land for the Edwards house. He said that the land is in the Theodore area.
“We hope to hold a ground-breaking ceremony by the end of this month,” he said.
Gill noted, “We are still seeking commitments” of materials and skilled labor from people in the building trades. He said that people who would like to help out should e-mail him at lgill40@hotmail.com.
Ellie