Congressman Charles Bass

By Robert Michaelson
Amherst Patch, October 2, 2012

The Amherst Country Club held a golf fundraiser on Monday to support an organization making a difference in the lives of veterans who were disabled while in service.

The Building Dreams For Marines 1st annual golf tournament raised funds to assist Marines who have a physically-limiting condition by giving them life-enhancing modifications to their homes.

The nonprofit was formed one year ago and has already worked on modifying two homes of New Hampshire veterans who left their service with disabilities. Find details on their first project on WMUR.

Congressman Charlie Bass kicked off the charity event and emphasized the need to offer thanks to those who have served our country.

"Sadly, many come home with disabilities associated with their service, Bass said in an interview on Monday. "A lot of civilians want to help in one way or another. You can make a financial contribution, but the contribution here is fixing up houses and making them compatible with the disability they may have. It is really a significant impact and making life better for another wounded service member."

He told donors and volunteers that they can all go home feeling better about themselves and their country knowing that they are truly supporting the men and women fighting to protect them.

Building Dreams For Marines founder Brian Hooper of Windham said he came up with the idea for his nonprofit after his company, MSI Mechanical in Salem, began participating in Toys For Tots. He began to meet many marines who were disabled after they ended their service, and didn't have the money they needed to do home renovations to accommodate their disability.

"I knew that there were people who were coming back who lost a leg, lost an arm, and the houses weren't handicap accessible," said Hooper. "There is a huge transition and we are trying to fill the gaps."

Hooper said that being in the construction business gives him access to a network of people that could do the work, so he decided to do his part and raise money to make these projects happen.

His organization recently worked on a home for a Hudson Marine and has even more projects planned. To be a part of the program, a Marine must have been honorably discharged, live in New Hampshire and have a handicap or disability.

"We are just trying to give them the mobility they need," said Hooper. "I want them to have the same kind of mobility you and I have. They served for us, now we want to serve for them."

All of the funds he raises goes directly to the home renovations, and all of the people helping him are dedicated volunteers. For more information on Building Dreams For Marines, please visit their website.