JELD-WEN partners with Gary Sinise Foundation to support severely wounded heroes

JELD-WEN is proud to help bring beauty and security to the homes of heroes through a national partnership with the Gary Sinise Foundation’s R.I.S.E program.

Through R.I.S.E. (Restoring Independence, Supporting Empowerment), the Gary Sinise Foundation builds mortgage-free state-of-the-art specially adapted smart homes for severely wounded heroes. Many of these homes will feature donated JELD-WEN® windows and LaCantina® patio doors.

“The JELD-WEN partnership with the Gary Sinise Foundation is a special one that allows us to use our products to help create uniquely customized homes for disabled veterans,” said Jas Hayes, EVP, general counsel and corporate secretary at JELD-WEN.

“By building specially adapted smart homes that are modified to fit the needs of each individual and their family, the Gary Sinise Foundation is giving wounded veterans their independence back, providing them with homes specially tailored to their needs. As a former member of the U.S. military myself, I’m honored that we can repay these families for the service and sacrifice they have provided our country.”

Last year, JELD-WEN donated products to the home of U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Dennet Oregon. Planned and built with thoughtful consideration, the specially adapted house allows SSgt. Dennet, a double amputee, to use his wheelchair comfortably throughout his family home.

After learning the Gary Sinise Foundation did not have a national window and patio door manufacturing partner, Joe Miranda, director of product management and chair of our Veteran’s Network employee resource group, saw an opportunity for JELD-WEN to live out it’s purpose of bringing beauty and security to the spaces that touch lives by becoming an official partner of the R.I.S.E program.

This year, JELD-WEN will donate products for six homes being built for wounded heroes across the country.

“Every home that is built is unique and involves the veteran from the very beginning,” Joe said. “I had the pleasure of working alongside Dennet and his amazing family on their home in Murietta, California, in 2024. I cannot describe the amount of emotion it brought to me to be able to directly and positively impact the life of a veteran and his family. The mission of the Gary Sinise Foundation is similar that of JELD-WEN, and I am happy to be able to spread the same dedication, inspiration and recognition to many more veterans this year and in years to come.”

Throughout the home building process, JELD-WEN employees are given the opportunity to contribute to these life-changing donations.

On the manufacturing floor, employees are informed the JELD-WEN windows and LaCantina patio doors they craft will be integral parts of specially adapted smart homes for heroes. Additionally, employees will have the opportunity to witness the home building progress during the Walls of Honor and Home Dedication ceremonies, fostering a deep connection to the cause and the individuals they are helping.

“As a national partner of the Gary Sinise Foundation, our employees will continue to have ample opportunities to not only connect with these veterans and their families during local Walls of Honor ceremonies and Home Dedications, but also during the building process of the windows and patio doors that will forever provide the beauty and security that these veterans and their families deserve,” Joe said.

“Providing these products directly from our factories, some built by our own JELD-WEN veterans, allows our employees to see the direct impact they are making in their communities and in the lives of wounded heroes.”

To learn more about JELD-WEN’s first donation to a hero through the Gary Sinise Foundation, click here.