Local members of Carpet One Floor & Home, the world’s largest cooperative of independently-owned-and-operated flooring stores, celebrated Veterans Day with the historic unveiling of not one, but two smart homes that they’d helped build for disabled veterans in their respective communities.

On Sunday, November 11, Carpet One Floor & Home staff, along with volunteers from the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers’ Building for America’s Bravest program, gathered in two states to welcome two American heroes into their newly designed smart homes. First Floors Carpet One Floor & Home of Dallas, Texas, and Rochester Flooring Kitchen & Bath Carpet One Floor & Home of Rochester, NY, assisted with construction by installing beautiful new flooring for both of the donated homes.

Army SPC Kevin Trimble of Oak Point, TX, and Marine Lance Cpl. Mark Beyers of East Aurora, NY were each handed keys to their brand new, mortgage-free, handicapped accessible smart homes. Work on both projects began earlier this year.

Kevin Trimble (pictured left) entering his new smart home. Mark Beyers (pictured right) during the ribbon cutting of his smart home.

Trimble was just 19 when he was struck by an IED during patrol in Afghanistan, costing him his left arm and both of his legs. Beyers also sustained serious injuries from an IED while serving in Iraq in 2005, where he lost both his right arm and right leg. Moving with their respective families into new homes is an important step in living full, successful civilian lives.

Upon hearing Trimble’s story, Alecia Larmeir, VP of Retail Operations at First Floors Carpet One Floor & Home, said she didn’t hesitate to offer her assistance. "I've been so inspired by the stories of the veterans as we've been working with the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers foundation over the years," Larmeir added. "When I got the call that there was a home being built in our area, I was honored to be able to make this contribution and help Kevin move into his smart home."

The son of a WWII veteran, Al Pelusio, owner of Rochester Flooring Kitchen & Bath Carpet One Floor & Home said he, likewise, knew immediately he wanted to get involved in the smart home project. “Many of my friends in high school went into the military after graduation,” Pelusio added. I just feel it’s necessary to give back to this group of people who have risked so much serving us. It’s important to recognize that these veterans served our country and its citizens proudly, for our right to remain home with our loved ones and it’s our duty to return the favor. This is the very least we can do as a company.”

Carpet One Floor & Home is proud to partner with Steven Siller Tunnel to Towers’ Building for America’s Bravest program, helping veterans with life-altering injuries return to their communities and live as independently as possible. To date, the Foundation has spent over $60 million towards smart home construction.  For more information on the Building for America’s Bravest program, visit carpetone.com/our-bravest.

ABOUT CARPET ONE FLOOR & HOME

Carpet One Floor & Home is North America’s leading floor covering retailer, with 1,000 independently owned and operated locations in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Carpet One Floor & Home stores are known for a broad selection of carpet, wood, laminate, ceramic, vinyl, and area rugs, including exclusive brands like Lees® and Bigelow® Stainmaster™. They offer a unique customer experience with the exclusive SelectAFloor™ merchandising system that simplifies the shopping experience and The Beautiful Guarantee®, which guarantees that the customer will be 100% happy with their floor. Carpet One Floor & Home is also the home of the exclusive Healthier Living® Flooring Installation System.