ST. LOUIS, Missouri (July 24, 2017) – The National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) has provided flooring for its 17th home in partnership with the Gary Sinise Foundation R.I.S.E. program (Restoring Independence Supporting Empowerment). The R.I.S.E. program builds custom, specially adapted smart homes for severely wounded veterans and first responders. The home dedication for US Army Staff Sergeant Christopher Walker took place on July 7, in Alexandria, VA. Flooring for the project was donated by NWFA member Somerset Flooring.

SSG Walker was injured in 2012 when he was struck by an improvised explosive device (IED) designed to destroy armored vehicles. He was thrown 30 feet by the blast and lost his left leg and both arms. In addition to these injuries, his facial bones were shattered, his ear drum burst, and both eye muscles were detached. Due to the extent of his injuries, he remained at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for more than two years.

“Sergeant Walker enlisted in 2003 and served during Operation Iraqi Freedom,” says NWFA President and CEO, Michael Martin. “He served his second tour in Khost Province, Afghanistan as an Explosive Ordinance Disposal team leader, where he identified and disposed of IEDs. He put his life on the line every day to protect coalition forces, civilians, and his team, and we’re honored to partner with the Gary Sinise Foundation and Somerset Flooring to help make his specially adapted smart home possible.”

In addition to the 17 homes already completed, NWFA currently is working with its members to source wood flooring for 25 additional R.I.S.E. homes in various stages of planning and construction. Currently, 41 NWFA member companies have donated product, logistics, and installation services in locations throughout the United States, with a total value of more than $1.3 million. A list of all NWFA R.I.S.E. partners is listed at www.nwfa.org/giving-back.aspx.

By the end of this year, 59 specially adapted smart homes will be completed or underway through the Gary Sinise Foundation R.I.S.E. program. To learn more about the program, and how you and/or your company can get involved, contact the NWFA at 800.422.4556, or e-mail them at anita.howard@nwfa.org.

The National Wood Flooring Association is a not-for-profit trade organization, with more than 3,500 member companies world-wide, dedicated to educating consumers, architects, designers, specifiers and builders in the uses and benefits of wood flooring. The NWFA is located at 111 Chesterfield Industrial Boulevard, Chesterfield, MO 63005, and can be contacted at 800.422.4556 (USA & Canada), 636.519.9663 (local and international), or at www.nwfa.org.

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