ST. LOUIS, Missouri (August 29, 2017) – The National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) has provided flooring for its 19th home in partnership with the Gary Sinise Foundation R.I.S.E. program (Restoring Independence Supporting Empowerment). The R.I.S.E. program builds custom, specially adapted smart homes for severely wounded veterans and first responders. The home dedication for US Marine Corps Sergeant Michael Frazier took place on August 26, in Pittsboro, NC. Flooring for the project was donated by NWFA member WD Flooring.

Sgt. Frazier was injured in 2011 by an improvised explosive device (IED) while serving in Afghanistan. The blast resulted in the loss of both his legs, and much of the use of his right arm.

“Men like Sgt. Frazier set an example for us all,” says NWFA President and CEO, Michael Martin. “He enlisted in the Marines following the attacks on 9/11, serving seven years, three of which were combat deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. His work helping to restore peace for the people of Afghanistan, while securing the safety for those of us in the US, is a noble endeavor, and we’re honored to partner with WD Flooring to make his new home possible.”

In addition to the 19 homes already completed, NWFA currently is working with its members to source wood flooring for 25 additional R.I.S.E. homes in various stages of planning and construction. Currently, 51 NWFA member companies have donated product, logistics, and installation services in locations throughout the United States, with a total value of more than $3.52 million. A list of all NWFA R.I.S.E. partners is listed at www.nwfa.org/giving-back.aspx.

By the end of this year, 59 specially adapted smart homes will be completed or underway through the Gary Sinise Foundation R.I.S.E. program. To learn more about the program, and how you and/or your company can get involved, contact the NWFA at 800.422.4556, or e-mail them at anita.howard@nwfa.org.

The National Wood Flooring Association is a not-for-profit trade organization, with more than 3,500 member companies world-wide, dedicated to educating consumers, architects, designers, specifiers and builders in the uses and benefits of wood flooring. The NWFA is located at 111 Chesterfield Industrial Boulevard, Chesterfield, MO 63005, and can be contacted at 800.422.4556 (USA & Canada), 636.519.9663 (local and international), or at www.nwfa.org.