ST. LOUIS, Missouri (October 16, 2017) – The National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) has provided flooring for its 22nd 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 Air Force Senior Airman Brandon Byers took place on October 10, in McKinney, TX. Flooring for the project was donated by NWFA member Palo Duro.

SrA Byers enlisted in the Air Force in May 2005 as a Security Forces member and was deployed to Iraq as a 50-caliber machine gunner, conducting intelligence-gathering, convoys, and convoy security. His injuries occurred on October 16, 2006 when he volunteered to stay behind as rear gunner in the last truck of a team securing a bridge, and an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded directly under him, resulting in the loss of his left leg.

“We had the pleasure of meeting Senior Airman Byers during our recent Wood Flooring Expo in Phoenix,” says NWFA President and CEO, Michael Martin. “He met with many of our members in the NWFA booth and shared his story of military service and how the Gary Sinise Foundation R.I.S.E. program has significantly impacted his life. We’re honored to partner with Palo Duro to provide flooring for his new home.”

In addition to the 22 homes already completed, NWFA currently is working with its members to source wood flooring for 22 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 3,000 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.

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