30 Days for 30 Vets program accepting nominations until Sept. 30
Home improvement project award recipients to be featured online in November
Do you know a deserving McHenry County veteran whose home could use some TLC? Nominate them to be a 30 Days for 30 Vets winner, and you just might change a life.
But do it soon. Nominations close Monday, Sept. 30, for a program that will provide more than $200,000 worth of home improvements ranging from appliances and flooring to a new roof or complete kitchen remodel. Thirty recipients will be selected based on nominations detailing military service, current living conditions, specific needs and other supporting factors.
The program, coordinated by The Bremer Team — Keller Williams Success Realty, has received 64 applications since nominations opened Aug. 1.
“This is the chance to greatly enhance the lives of some of our area’s incredibly deserving heroes, and we are so proud to stand behind it,” said Dawn Bremer, owner and president of the McHenry-based Bremer Team. “We have been blown away by the nomination stories so far, as well as by the enthusiastic response from generous business owners who’ve offered to help.”
It all started when Courtney Wander and Rhett Wilborn of Innovative Home Concepts of Crystal Lake met with Bremer over the summer to discuss their idea of providing a free roof for a veteran in need. Bremer took that ball and ran with it, launching 30 Days for 30 Vets within a matter of weeks.
“We now have pledges of products and services from appliance retailers, kitchen remodelers, a flooring firm, gutter installers, HVAC system suppliers, plumbers, painters, roofers and more,” Bremer said. “It has been so great to see the community rally around this initiative.”
The Bremer Team, whose agents include U.S. Marine veteran Michael Adams, also launched a Heroes Savings Plan in the spring that cuts closing costs for qualifying veterans.
To nominate a deserving veteran to be a home renovation project recipient, click “apply” and complete the form at 30daysfor30vets.com no later than Monday, Sept. 30. A committee of community members and veterans will review all nominations and select the winning 30.
Each day in November — the month of Veterans Day — one deserving recipient’s story will be shared on the 30daysfor30vets website as well as on the 30daysfor30vets Facebook page, Bremer said. Recipients’ renovation projects will be scheduled in the months ahead.
To date, along with The Bremer Team and Innovative Home Concepts, more than two dozen local businesses are participating, including Home Depot, WeatherWise Heating & Cooling, Above Par Construction, Koehlinger Garage Door Inc., Superior Installations and more. For the complete list, visit 30daysfor30vets.com, click on “About” and scroll down.
Others interested in contributing goods, services or monetary donations are encouraged to call Bremer at (847) 456-6334 or email her at bremerteaminfo@gmail.com. A list of available sponsorships also is available at 30daysfor30vets.com.
“This program has been so well received in its first year that we plan to make 30 Days for 30 Vets an annual event,” Bremer said, adding that next year it may be expanded into Lake County. “Meanwhile, we can’t wait to see who our first year’s winners will be. It is exciting.”