Minnesota Family Assisted by "Heroes at Home"
Homeowner Success Story added on Jan 8 2008
Rebuilding Together and Sears Holdings kicked off the fall fund-raising campaign for Heroes at Home, November 9 at the home of the VanderWert family in New Prague, MN. The VanderWert family moved out of the city to an older home in New Prague in hopes of creating a better living environment for their nine children. Sgt. VanderWert was confident that he would be able to fix the house up himself, but that changed when he was called to active duty with the Minnesota National Guard. As a result, his wife, Blake and their 9 children were forced to live in undesirable conditions in a home in need of major renovations. Many of the rooms in the home were missing drywall and ceilings, leaving exposed electrical wires, and only one bathroom functions.
Five of the nine children currently live in the home with Blake including a new baby boy, Vince, born in September 2007. The three other children live with relatives and visit their Mom and brothers and sisters, but are unable to spend the night because they do not have a suitable bedroom to stay in. Rebuilding Together's Heroes at Home program will provide major renovations to the family's home allowing them to soon live together in a home where everyone is comfortable.
Highlights from the Heroes at Home project in New Prague, MN
News Coverage from the Day
Minneapolis - St. Paul Star Tribune Article
KARE 11 News Video Clip and Article