Thanks to funds from the non-profit organization and a generous $22,000 gift from advocate Lorraine DiPaolo, crews combined two small bathrooms into one large, accessible space. The updates included a wheel-in shower, grab bars, slip-resistant flooring, and sliding barn doors.

“We were in desperate need of one,” said Jones in a recent interview with Augusta Good News about building a better bathroom. “They just don’t know what they did for us,” she adds, detailing the pain and stress relief the renovation brings to their livelihood.

When Hurricane Helene hit in the middle of the project, a resulting blackout caused medical issues for Sgt. Linwood, forcing him and his wife to head to Eisenhower Army Medical Center. While the couple waited out the storm at Fort Eisenhower, their neighbors watched their dogs and kept an eye on their house.

Linwood, who has used a wheelchair since hurting his back during his service in the Army, relied on his wife to help him in the bathroom. “It caused her to hurt more,” said Sgt. Linwood. “Now, I can get in there and take a bath or shower,” he said, excited to try out his newfound independence.

Homes for Veterans helps create more accessible homes for service members dealing with mobility issues from service-related injuries. With this being their fifth completed renovation this year, the group is getting ready to start work on three more Georgia homes come March.

They accept donations through their website to fund similar projects across the country.