ST. LOUIS, Missouri (October 29, 2025) – The National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) has provided flooring for its 80th home in support of the Gary Sinise Foundation R.I.S.E. program (Restoring Independence Supporting Empowerment). The R.I.S.E. program builds mortgage-free, custom, specially adapted smart homes for severely wounded veterans and first responders. The home dedication for retired U.S. Marine Corps Corporal Chad Ohmer took place on April 25, in Maineville, OH. Flooring for the project was donated by NWFA member Panel Town & Floors. Installation services were provided by NWFA members Panel Town & Floors, and Alford’s Custom Hardwood Floors.

Corporal Ohmer enlisted in 2008 and, after graduating from the school of infantry, was deployed to Afghanistan. In 2012, during his second deployment, his unit was clearing the mountain villages and the Sangin Valley of the Taliban when they came across a mosque filled with explosives. While clearing those explosives, a member the unit detonated an IED, killing him and severely wounding others in the unit, including Corporal Ohmer. His injuries resulted in the loss of his left leg below the knee.

“I’m told that Corporal Ohmer endured more than 30 surgeries following his injury,” says Stephanie Owen, NWFA CEO, “but his injuries have not slowed him down one bit. His new home will give him back the independence he lost in service to our country. We’re honored to partner with Panel Town & Floors, and Alford’s Custom Hardwood Floors to provide beautiful wood floors for his new home.”

In addition to the 80 homes already completed, NWFA currently is working with its members to source wood flooring for 13 additional R.I.S.E. homes in various stages of planning and construction. Currently, 161 NWFA member companies have donated product, logistics, and installation services in locations throughout the United States, with a total value of more than $7 million. A list of all NWFA R.I.S.E. participating companies can be found at http://www.nwfa.org/giving-back.aspx.

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 3,000 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 14 Research Park Drive, St. Charles, MO 63304, and can be contacted at 800.422.4556 (USA & Canada), 636.519.9663 (local and international), or at www.nwfa.org.