Decorating the Christmas tree was one of my favorite things we have done thus far during our 25 days of Christmas countdown – not just any tree and not just our tree but a Tree for one of our Heroes and their family.
Last week I told you that my boys and I were asked to join in on another Celebration Of Service project with The Home Depot 
foundation – to “Deck the Halls” of one our countries wounded Soldiers homes. So off we drove across the bridge and through the dark evening we went to meet our new friends.
We arrived on time (whew!) , my boys helped me unload the car and carry our packages to the door (what great helpers). We were greeted my our new Solider friend, his wife and their 1 year old daughter with big smiles, they too were eager to meet us and get involved with the decorating. Also joining us for the decorating was one of our local Home Depot store mangers who also took time out of his schedule to be with us.
While decorating we spent time chatting and hearing our new friends story of becoming a wounded solider , how it has affected his family and will continue to affect him for years to come with the life long pain he will endure. The most amazing part was how positive this family was in telling their story, in talking about the future, they are true over-comers and fighters. Not allowing this to keep them from moving forward in their lives and family.
Each time I have been part of a Celebration of Service project with Home Depot I gain a greater appreciation and honor for our Veterans and those still serving today – They are true heroes who have sacrificed, given up and truly know the meaning of serving for the sake of others.
As we continued to decorate my boys enjoyed helping the families one year old daughter place ornaments on the tree, there were lots of laughs as she posed for us to take her pic
ture. it truly was a night of decking the halls. As we drove away my boys and I discussed this is what Christmas is about serving and giving to others, making new friends and honoring those who have sacrificed so much for our freedom.
Thank you Home Depot for giving my boys and I the opportunity to participate in another Celebration of Service project.
Here is a little more about The Home Depot Foundation that might interest you:
Since its formation in 2002, The Home Depot Foundation has granted more than $300 million to nonprofit organizations improving homes and lives in local communities.
For more about Celebration Of Service and The Home Depot associates in action, visit www.homedepotfoundation.org, follow
The Home Depot Foundation on Twitter and like them on Facebook.
The Home Depot partnered with bloggers such as me for their Celebration of Service Blog Network. As part of this program, I received compensation for my time. They did not tell me what to purchase or what to say about any product mentioned in these posts. The Home Depot believes that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. The Home Depot’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations.