ST. LOUIS, Missouri (December 10, 2018) – The National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) has provided flooring for its 35th home in support of 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 United States Army Sergeant Bobby Dove took place on December 5, in Niceville, Florida. Flooring for the project was donated by NWFA member Shaver Hardwood / Sticks & Stones Dist. Inc.

Sergeant Dove joined the Army Special Forces in 2008, earning his Green Beret in 2011. A year later, while deployed in Afghanistan, he was driving a dirt bike ahead of a mobile convoy when he struck an improvised explosive device (IED). The blast resulted in numerous severe injuries, including the loss of his right hand, and his right leg above the knee.

“One of the most amazing details of Sgt. Dove’s injury is that he was knocked unconscious from the blast for only about a minute,” says NWFA President and CEO, Michael Martin. “When he regained consciousness, he guided his team in treating his injuries while waiting for help to arrive. Eventually, he was evacuated to Kandahar, and later transported to Walter Reed Medical Center, where he endured 40 surgeries. Now, only six years later, he runs his own charter fishing company on the Gulf of Mexico. He’s an inspiring example of not letting obstacles stop you from realizing your dreams. We’re honored to partner with Shaver Hardwood / Sticks & Stones Dist. to provide flooring for his new home.”

In addition to the 35 homes already completed, NWFA currently is working with its members to source wood flooring for 15 additional R.I.S.E. homes in various stages of planning and construction. Currently, 57 NWFA member companies have donated product, logistics, and installation services in locations throughout the United States, with a total value of more than $4.0 million. A list of all NWFA R.I.S.E. participating companies can be found at http://www.nwfa.org/giving-back.aspx.

By the end of this year, 70 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 3,100 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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