Home Depot Foundation Selects NECHV as a November Finalist in the “Aprons in Action” Facebook Challenge

BOSTON (Nov. 1, 2011) – The New England Center for Homeless Veterans (NECHV) in Boston has been selected as a finalist for Aprons in Action, The Home Depot Foundation’s unique Facebook voting program, and now has the opportunity to win a $25,000 gift card from The Home Depot. Voting begins Nov. 1 and runs through Nov. 30, 2011 at www.facebook.com/homedepotfoundation. The organization with the most votes will win the $25,000 prize, and be in the running for the grand prize of $250,000 at the end of the year-long program. The runner-up organizations from each month will receive $5,000 in The Home Depot gift cards.

Read about the Contest in the
Boston Herald

Home Depot
Press Release

During the Aprons in Action Contest, which began in April 2011, 11 monthly winners will be selected. In March 2012, Facebook fans will have the chance to help one of those 11 winners win the $250,000 grand prize. The organization that receives the second and third most votes will receive $150,000 and $100,000 from The Home Depot, respectively.

Between September and November, all four nonprofit finalists each month are being selected because of their support for veterans and their families, as part of The Home Depot Foundation’s “Celebration of Service” campaign. Celebration of Service, which takes place from Sept. 11, 2011 through Veteran’s Day (Nov. 11, 2011), includes 200 service projects with Team Depot volunteers, directly aimed at improving homes, facilities and community centers where veterans live and receive services, as well as a variety of fundraising activities.

In the November round of the competition, NECHV is competing against three other nonprofit organizations from across the country that serve and support veterans including the Minnesota Veterans Home in Minneapolis, VFW Post 2681 in Marietta, Ga. and Utah State Veterans Home in Salt Lake City.

“Being selected for the Aprons in Action Program is an honor,” said Andy McCawley, president and CEO of NECHV. “Winning the $25,000 The Home Depot gift card would allow us to increase the overall efficiency of our 103-year-old building and ultimately contribute to the well being of the veterans we serve. With The Home Depot Foundation’s help, the NECHV will continue to succeed in its third decade of providing support to America’s veterans.”

Working together, NECHV and Team Depot volunteers have already committed substantial support, replacing flooring, installing much needed shelving in storage areas and enhancing the look of the property.

Across the country, The Home Depot Associates give back to their communities by volunteering their time and talents with local nonprofit organizations, like NECHV. The Aprons in Action Program recognizes these successful partnerships and gives each of the featured nonprofits the opportunity to do additional work with Team Depot volunteers to better their communities.

“Aprons in Action is our $1 million effort to support the most active and engaged nonprofit organizations across the country,” said Kelly Cafarelli, president of The Home Depot Foundation. “Over the course of this program, we’ll distribute $1 million to 48 deserving organizations from across the nationwide Team Depot network, allowing them to continue their great work serving our communities.”

How To Vote

Voting begins on Nov. 1 at 9:00 a.m. ET through Nov. 30 at 12 p.m. ET. “Aprons in Action” is on Facebook at www.facebook.com/homedepotfoundation.

The final percentages of votes for each nonprofit will be posted on The Home Depot and The Home Depot Foundation’s Facebook pages on Dec. 1 at 9:00 a.m. ET.

About the New England Center for Homeless Veterans:

The New England Center for Homeless Veterans (NECHV) is in its third decade of supporting those who have defended this nation. The Center’s mission is to provide Veterans the tools to achieve independent living and success; and is a recognized leader in the President’s initiative to end homelessness among Veterans. The Center offers a broad array of services that focus on addressing the needs of Veterans who are facing the spectre of homelessness. NECHV is a direct service provider in a network of government and community organizations that ensures safety and provides hope, dignity and comprehensive support Veterans. In the past 22 years, NECHV has assisted over 16,000 Veterans realize a brighter future. For more information on the NECHV, please visit the website at www.nechv.org

About The Home Depot Foundation:

In 2011, The Home Depot Foundation committed $30 million over three years to nonprofit organizations dedicated to improving the homes of economically disadvantaged veterans. Through Team Depot, the company's associate-led volunteer program, thousands of Home Depot associates volunteer their time and talents to positively transform neighborhoods and perform basic repairs and modifications to homes and to the facilities serving veterans with critical housing needs.

Since its formation in 2002, The Home Depot Foundation has granted more than $270 million to nonprofit organizations improving homes and lives in local communities. To learn more and see our associates in action, visit www.homedepotfoundation.org, follow us on Twitter @homedepotfdn, and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/homedepotfoundation.