Home Renovations Completed for NH Marine

Friday, April 13, 2012

Renovations have been completed to redesign injured Marine Chuck Donnelly's Merrimack home. The project was organized by Building Dreams for Marines, a non-profit organization that aims to help New Hampshire Marines who have honorably served their country but now have physically limiting injuries because of their service. More than a dozen contractors and service providers helped bring the project to a successful completion, including Meridian Construction, who provided Mr. Donnelly with a new kitchen, stairway, bathroom, among other customized additions.

Mr. Donnelly, who wears a leg prosthetic below his knee, was injured by an IED while overseas in Afghanistan. The renovations focused on improving his mobility around the home, giving the bathroom multiple upgrades and supports, as well as widening the doors and staircase for possible future wheelchair access. On Tuesday, Donnelly, his family and friends, as well as others, gathered to celebrate the finished construction. Among those in attendance were U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte and N.H. Governor John Lynch. "This is America at its best," said Kelly Ayotte, speaking of the work done to the house and to those who provided it. "You are upholding not only the best values of our country, but the best values of the U.S. Marine Corps."

Meridian Construction is proud to have been part of the project, donating a substantial portion of the labor to finish renovations. "We believe in paying it forward," said Meridian president Tim Long, "and making a difference in the lives of others."

On Tuesday, Donnelly talked about his experience, from first being injured overseas, to his feelings after the renovations: "Being pulled off the battlefield was probably the hardest thing I've ever been through. My sense of community was taken from me, and it was really hard to get back. But this has filled a big piece of my heart. This is community... That is what my biggest improvement is on life. Not prosthetics, not the medical treatment that I've received. It's really seeing everyone coming out here and caring and showing how much they care."

"I want to thank Building Dreams for Marines," said Governor Lynch, "in what they've done and all the volunteers and contractors that they worked with to make this happen. I really don't think there's anything more noble that we can do in our lives than to make a difference in the lives of other people. And that's what they all have done."