01/30/2024
Donation delivers beauty and security to U.S. Army veteran and wife
With the help of a donation and a few volunteers, a house with windows held together by tape is transformed into a more energy-efficient home ready to be enjoyed for years to come.
“Home is where the heart is.” That’s a sentiment shared by Charlotte, North Carolina residents Pat and Gary Turpin. When talking about her home, Pat says the neighborhood is warm and inviting. But when it comes to her house, “it’s been stressful,” she said.
Pat and Gary, a U.S. Army Veteran, have struggled to make necessary home repairs. “I’m legally blind, so it affects your income,” Gary said. “We really haven’t had the finances to keep up with it.”
Their windows are held together by duct tape. “To be honest with you, we haven’t really enjoyed the home in quite a few years,” Pat said.
Beth Morrison, executive director of Rebuilding Together of Greater Charlotte, has seen her fair share of homes in need of repair. “I think the windows are probably the worst I’ve ever seen,” Beth said. “There are some panes that are barely hanging on.”
A few organizations located in Charlotte teamed up to help bring some needed upgrades to the Turpin’s home. Employees from JELD-WEN, Lowe’s and Rebuilding Together of Greater Charlotte helped paint, install appliances, and remove rotted wood and insulation.
Then, it was time for some new windows and doors. Nine ENERGY STAR® rated windows and two doors were donated and installed.
"They haven’t been able to enjoy their home in years,” said JELD-WEN Project Manager Jonathan Funk. “That’s a big reason why we are giving back. We are donating the windows and doors to this project so that way they have a more energy efficient house they can really enjoy.”
"It’s going to have such profound impacts for this couple – for their safety and health, for their level of comfort, and their financial health,” Beth said.
“We are so grateful,” said Pat. “Thank you JELD-WEN. Thank all of you.”
You can learn more about JELD-WEN’s efforts to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions through efficiency projects and converting renewable energy here.