OFF THE WIRE
Alissa Swofford, wife of Marine Sgt. Jason Swofford, watches volunteers work on her home while holding her son, Logan, 3, in Oceanside on Saturday. HAYNE PALMOUR IV | hpalmour@nctimes.com
Dozens of volunteers from around San Diego County descended on an Oceanside house Saturday morning for a home makeover with a patriotic twist.
Sgt. Jason Swofford was leading a squad of Marines on patrol in Afghanistan in October 2009 when his team started taking fire from Taliban insurgents.
"While we were clearing their positions, myself and two other Marines were blown up in a booby-trapped doorway," Swofford said.
Swofford was planning to spend his career in the Corps. He had just re-enlisted before shipping out to Afghanistan, his third tour, but instead he spent two months at Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland, and is now awaiting his medical discharge at age 28. The blast primarily affected the right side of his body and significantly scarred his arm.
On Saturday, led by a San Diego-based nonprofit called Healing Our Heroes' Homes, a band of volunteers was landscaping, dry-walling, overhauling the plumbing and doing a variety of other tasks at Swofford's home that would take a typical homeowner months and a lot of money to finish.
San Diego resident Sean Sheppard, who founded an affiliated nonprofit called Embrace that organized Saturday's project, said it was the second home that his volunteers have made over.
"The need is there ---- there are so many disabled veterans who could benefit from this program," Sheppard said. "We got quite a bit donated today, but we still covered several thousand dollars out of pocket. We could do several a month if we had the funding."
The volunteers came from "all points in San Diego to help these people," including San Diego State, UC San Diego, City College and the Rock Church, Sheppard said.
At 11 a.m., more than a dozen students were spreading mulch and planting flowers in the front yard while an electrician installed a new light fixture above the front door. Around the back of the house, young men took turns hacking at a stubborn tree stump.
Inside, someone was on a stool, spackling the seam between two new panels of drywall. The kitchen was torn apart, and Imperial Beach resident Jeff Cohen said he had just finished tiling the bathroom.
"Honestly, it's such a blessing for us to be able to bless others," Cohen said. "It's just an overwhelming feeling. It should be on a daily basis.
"For somebody who served in the war and (put his life on the line) for us, I mean, this is the least we can do," he added.
Sheppard said he found the Swofford family through a mortgage company, which spread the word to its homebuying customers when he called to say he was looking for a wounded warrior to help. Sheppard said his father fought in Vietnam, so he understands the toll that combat can take on a family.
"My dad was never the same after serving in that war," Sheppard said.
Swofford said he moved to the Scott Drive house in July with his wife, Alissa, and 3-year-old son, Logan. The family had previously lived on base, and their new home was in decent shape ---- unlike some of the houses depicted on popular home-renovation TV shows ---- but the sergeant said he appreciated the help.
"It means a lot. It's just amazing that these people are willing to do this," he said. "I mean, they've never met me. I'm a service member, but it's hard to believe there's people who value it that much ---- to come and donate their time to do this."
As for the future, Swofford said he hasn't fully charted his path away from the military.
"I'm going to enjoy life ---- that's all I can really say that's for sure," he said.
Sgt. Jason Swofford was leading a squad of Marines on patrol in Afghanistan in October 2009 when his team started taking fire from Taliban insurgents.
"While we were clearing their positions, myself and two other Marines were blown up in a booby-trapped doorway," Swofford said.
Swofford was planning to spend his career in the Corps. He had just re-enlisted before shipping out to Afghanistan, his third tour, but instead he spent two months at Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland, and is now awaiting his medical discharge at age 28. The blast primarily affected the right side of his body and significantly scarred his arm.
On Saturday, led by a San Diego-based nonprofit called Healing Our Heroes' Homes, a band of volunteers was landscaping, dry-walling, overhauling the plumbing and doing a variety of other tasks at Swofford's home that would take a typical homeowner months and a lot of money to finish.
San Diego resident Sean Sheppard, who founded an affiliated nonprofit called Embrace that organized Saturday's project, said it was the second home that his volunteers have made over.
"The need is there ---- there are so many disabled veterans who could benefit from this program," Sheppard said. "We got quite a bit donated today, but we still covered several thousand dollars out of pocket. We could do several a month if we had the funding."
The volunteers came from "all points in San Diego to help these people," including San Diego State, UC San Diego, City College and the Rock Church, Sheppard said.
At 11 a.m., more than a dozen students were spreading mulch and planting flowers in the front yard while an electrician installed a new light fixture above the front door. Around the back of the house, young men took turns hacking at a stubborn tree stump.
Inside, someone was on a stool, spackling the seam between two new panels of drywall. The kitchen was torn apart, and Imperial Beach resident Jeff Cohen said he had just finished tiling the bathroom.
"Honestly, it's such a blessing for us to be able to bless others," Cohen said. "It's just an overwhelming feeling. It should be on a daily basis.
"For somebody who served in the war and (put his life on the line) for us, I mean, this is the least we can do," he added.
Sheppard said he found the Swofford family through a mortgage company, which spread the word to its homebuying customers when he called to say he was looking for a wounded warrior to help. Sheppard said his father fought in Vietnam, so he understands the toll that combat can take on a family.
"My dad was never the same after serving in that war," Sheppard said.
Swofford said he moved to the Scott Drive house in July with his wife, Alissa, and 3-year-old son, Logan. The family had previously lived on base, and their new home was in decent shape ---- unlike some of the houses depicted on popular home-renovation TV shows ---- but the sergeant said he appreciated the help.
"It means a lot. It's just amazing that these people are willing to do this," he said. "I mean, they've never met me. I'm a service member, but it's hard to believe there's people who value it that much ---- to come and donate their time to do this."
As for the future, Swofford said he hasn't fully charted his path away from the military.
"I'm going to enjoy life ---- that's all I can really say that's for sure," he said.
Read more: http://www.nctimes.com/news/local/oceanside/oceanside-volunteers-fix-up-wounded-warrior-s-home/article_9ba0780e-86dd-53fe-a116-b5abd93b9cc7.html#ixzz1gFHYlgrl
If you have items to donate to Home Front San Diego, please call the Home Front Hot-line at 760-392-1551. A volunteer will pick up your tax deductible gift for our military personnel in need. It's the very least we can do to support our military...who put their lives on the line to protect our freedom and way of life in America.
If you are one of these young military families, call Home Front to ask for what you need. The Navy League of San Diego distributes items as well.
