Mr. Parham at the Dedication Ceremony.
Erin Holcomb | NowPlayingNashville.com
This post is part of a special NowPlayingNashville.com Stories Series titled CMA Fest Gives Back, focusing on how artists use the Festival as an opportunity to raise money and bring attention to the many charitable causes they support.
Today, several country music stars joined with more than a dozen volunteers from Rebuilding Together and the Sears Heroes at Home program to renovate the home of a Vietnam War veteran.
Mr. Parham, as he prefers to be called, has treasured his home for the last 25 years and owns a small lawn service business in his community. Because he lives on a fixed income, he does not have the necessary resources to maintain his home. Parham also enjoys working with small engines and is known to always be there for his neighbors when they need a helping hand with errands or small tasks. Rebuilding Together Nashville identified Parham and Sears stepped in to help give back to the kind, neighborly veteran who frequently puts other people first.
Newly created planter boxes for Mr Parham’s home. Erin Holcomb | NowPlayingNashville.com
Country stars that joined Rebuilding Together on the renovations to his home included Julie Roberts, Caroline Dare, Jillian Cardarelli, Lucy Angel, Fiona Culley, Rick Monroe, Ruthie Collins, Raquel Cole, Kenny Foster, and Sweet Tea Trio. Updates included building two new sheds for tools, adding planter boxes, building a privacy fence, adding a white picket fence in the front yard, installing new appliances, installing a ceiling fan, creating a new flag pole and painting the exterior of the home.
“If you live in Nashville, you know that affordable housing is a challenge in this city right now,” stated Becky Carter with Rebuilding Together Nashville, as she spoke to the volunteers. “So the work that you are doing here today is helping Mr. Parham stay here. You can see that there is new construction popping up everywhere, so projects like this matter.”
Tai Phoenix with Rebuilding Together has seen gentrification happening, like in Parham’s neighborhood, on a national scale. “All over the country it is happening a lot, especially in the larger markets that we work in,” commented Phoenix. “We kinda feel like we are tackling gentrification – one house at a time.”
Rebuilding Together’s mission is a safe and healthy home for every person. The organizers ensure this happens by making the necessary repairs to the home, so that the homeowner still feels like a part of his community.
Parham was humble and heartfelt about the whole experience. “This a big honor for me and I thank you for everything you do. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Sears’ 10th annual Heroes at Home campaign with Rebuilding Together is currently raising funds and assisting military families in need like Parham’s by making critical repairs and modifications to their homes.
Sears’ commitment to supporting veterans and military families dates back to WWI and has never wavered. That legacy endures today with the Heroes at Home program. Over the last decade, Heroes at Home has served 14,250 veterans across the country. Rebuilding Together affiliates and Sears volunteers nationwide completed dozens of projects this spring, adding to the nearly 1,700 rebuilds completed since the program began. Now through July 29, Sears is encouraging their Shop Your Way members and customers to give back to the men and women who served our country by donating to Heroes at Home at their local Sears store, or online at sears.com/heroesathome.
Sears Heroes at Home & Rebuilding Together Campaign
Volunteers
Mr. Parham’s new privacy fence
Volunteers build Mr. Parham a new shed
Mr. Parham’s new planter boxes
Brian Hanover with Sears Heroes at Home and Mr. Parham
Sweet Tea Trio
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