Giving Back to the Community

Giving Back to Long Island Veterans: My Experience with the Veterans Home Giveaway

It was amazing to see what happens when interior designers, national remodelers and a mortgage company all joined forces for a good deed. Together, we got to award a mortgage-free, fully decorated house to Long Island Purple Heart recipient Corporal Kevin Palacios.

After being injured twice by IED blasts in Afghanistan, Corporal Palacios became one of many well deserving U.S. veterans chosen by Fairway Foundation, a 501C(3) nonprofit that advocates for those who served in our armed forces.

For me, it all started when Steve Probst and Rosemarie Kluepfel of Fairway Foundation approached the Interior Design Society’s Pay It Forward (PIF) Committee, led by Dee Manicone. I became part of a group of about 10 designers who joined forces with several members of the National Association of Remodelers (NARI). As designers, we immediately moved forward, approaching local vendors who generously donated the furniture, sand, fabrics, and other materials required to renovate the home. Several electricians and plumbers also joined with us, and we all donated our time, contacts and personal items to make this three-bedroom, $300,000 home a reality for Palacios.

Bedroom design by IDS designers all done with donations

The road from inception to fruition took several years. Through the many challenges, the focus and goal remained the same — to finish the home and be able to donate it to a worthy veteran with dignity. Our team came from all over Long Island, and everyone was so enthusiastic. No one said no. It was wonderful to be part of the team that made this deserving single father’s home ownership dream come true.