BUILDING THE FUTURE FOR OUR DEFENDERS AND FIRST RESPONDERS: NATURAL STONE INSTITUTE AND THE R.I.S.E. INITIATIVE

By Uma Basso

About The GARY SINISE FOUNDATION

Moved by the sacrifice that so many of our American brothers and sisters made in the pursuit of freedom, actor Gary Sinise formed the Gary Sinise Foundation as a way to help wounded veterans and first responders get the financial support that they need.

Following their motto, “While we can never do enough for our defenders and their loved ones, we can always do a little more,” the Gary Sinise Foundation offers an array of programs designed to help those wounded in the line of duty.

First Responders Outreach – Provides financial support for training, emergency relief, and equipment needed.
Community and Education – Ranging from cultural events, workshops, speaking engagements, and serving classic American meals, the Foundation brings together defenders and civilians.
Relief + Resiliency – Targeting the health and wellbeing of families with loved ones who serve, the Relief + Resiliency programs help in times of need. With a focus on mental wellbeing, the program offers music, festivals, and other forms of support to families.

However, the best-known program run by the Foundation is known as the Restoring Independence Supporting Empowerment (RISE) Program. Deeply moved by the plight of a returned servicemember who had been severely wounded in combat, Gary Sinise and his Foundation began its RISE program to help injured veterans and first responders get specially constructed homes and equipment tailored to their unique needs.

These homes are built with donated materials and volunteer hours. Beyond this, R.I.S.E. also helps with home modifications, such as retrofitting a bathroom or adding ramps. Vehicles may also be modified so that wounded veterans or first responders may operate them without relying on a caregiver.

The homes provided to wounded veterans, defenders, first responders, and their families are 100% mortgage-free. Not only does R.I.S.E. makes smart homes available to affected families, but the program also takes away the financial concern of paying a monthly mortgage or rent payment.

HOW DOES R.I.S.E. WORK?

Every R.I.S.E home is built from the ground up. These smart homes are made to help wounded veterans regain independence and alleviate the stress that their injuries may bring.

Each veteran is paired with a design team at the start of the process. However, this matchup spans far beyond simply picking out materials and colors to their liking. Wounded veterans may have mobility and functional needs that must be addressed in the home's layout, location, and design.

For example, design teams must pay close attention to the surfaces that veterans who need wheelchairs use. Karla Forest, Marketing Director of Northern Stone Supply, points out that rough stones provide welcome traction around pool areas but may be difficult to maneuver with a wheelchair.

Other considerations, such as planning for the placement of counters and appliances, interior and exterior ramps, and easy-access hallways and doorways, can help veterans regain their independence. Once the design is set, the homes are built using donated materials and volunteer hours.

NATURAL STONE INSTITUTE GIVES BACK

The desire to donate materials first drew the Natural Stone Institute to the Gary Sinise Foundation back in 2016. As members of the Institute became involved with the R.I.S.E. initiative, giving back to those who sacrificed so much became more than just giving away materials. Contractors and volunteers were attracted to the R.I.S.E mission and helped wounded veterans regain the independence they once enjoyed before they were injured.

With its deep network of fabricators, distributors, and suppliers, the Natural Stone Institute members regularly provide materials and installation expertise to these specially adapted homes. For those in the masonry or stone industry, these house modifications may be necessary for masonry on exterior walkways, interior cabinets, and facades, as well as corridors and hallways.

On June 30, the Natural Stone Institute was honored to complete its 37th home with the R.I.S.E program. The Institute plans projects and seeks donors through its executive committee, dedicated to serving with the Gary Sinise Foundation. Over the past year, the members of the Institute helped to complete ten specially adapted homes for wounded veterans and first responders.

Members of the Natural Stone Institute can give back in other ways. In April 2021, Salado, a member firm at the Institute, raised $1,000 for the R.I.S.E. program through an online survey fundraiser.

THE IMPACT OF DOING GOOD

It is easy to see how a program like R.I.S.E. affects recipients and their families. But what many donors do not realize is how impactful their contribution is on themselves and their staff. Contractors and employees who donate their time and talent to these projects find that they leave with so much more than they came in with.

Evan Cohen of Quality Marble & Granite describes his first experience with the program as “it’s so wonderful, especially watching the video to see them in their new home and get to experience the new way of life that just improves their mobility around there, which is fantastic.” Cohen, who is also on the Board of Directors for the Natural Stone Institute, recalls that seeing the family in their new home was so moving that it brought tears to many of his staff members’ eyes.

HELPING THE NATION’S DEFENDERS, VETERANS, AND FIRST RESPONDERS

Helping those who put their lives in jeopardy for our freedom is a cause most people can support. Masons, contractors, and others with specialized skills are in a unique position to help the greatest defenders and their families rebuild their lives in our country.

With their expertise and devotion to their craft, these skilled professionals can help overcome mobility and functional obstacles that many wounded veterans and first responders deal with due to their injuries. And supporting our great defenders is a duty that we all share.