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Health & Fitness

Legislator Murphy Recognizes "Homes for Heroes" Volunteers

New City, NY (December 19, 2013) – Rockland County Legislator John Murphy recognized several Rocklanders who volunteered time and services to assist in the completion of phase one of Homes for Heroes, two four-unit garden-style rental apartment units located on Western Highway in Tappan, NY, built specifically to house honorably discharged, disabled and displaced Veterans.  The recognition took place prior to the recent meeting of the County Legislature. 

 

Leslie Crunden, Margaret Fitzpatrick, Carl Dornbush, Tom Micelli and Gene Wasielewski were presented Distinguished Service Awards in recognition of their volunteer efforts to coordinate and accomplish several sizeable tasks to complete the goal of the project – comfortably appointed homes in a serene atmosphere for occupancy by some of America’s brave Veterans.

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Ms. Crunden and Ms. Fitzpatrick volunteered to form a team to furnish the units with necessary household goods.  They organized a tag sale, acquired donations of goods from local merchants and held a Veterans Appreciation Day at the Palisades Center and gathered more goods through the kindness of generous and caring shoppers.  Crunden and Fitzpatrick enlisted more volunteers, nicknamed “The Doily Squad” to decorate and stock the units prior to occupancy.  The result, said Murphy, “are eight apartments that are beautiful and meticulously decorated by the grace of thoughtful and caring volunteers.”

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The three gentlemen volunteers, all veterans of U.S. Armed Forces, gave countless hours to design and supervise the surrounding landscape.  Mr. Dornbush is retired from the U.S. Army with the rank of Sgt. Major with 40 years of Active Duty and Army Reserves; Mr.  Micelli  retired from the U.S. Army and Active Duty Reserve with the rank of Lt. Colonel, and Mr. Wasielewski retired from the U.S. Air Force with the rank of Chief Master Sergeant.  “These team leaders,” said Legislator Murphy, “made it their mission to see that a beautiful gardenlike atmosphere was built as a place of serenity for their fellow veterans getting a second chance at life.”

 

“The grant money received from Senator Charles Schumer was expended on the brick and mortar portion of the project,” explained Murphy. “Not a penny was left for anything else. We are blessed by the selfless work of these volunteers to add the necessary finishing touches that complete the vision of this project.”

 

 
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