Salem's Oregon Paralyzed Veterans of America Competing for $25,000

Oregon Paralyzed Veterans of America One of Four Nonprofits Competing in the Home Depot Foundation’s Aprons in Action Program; Winner to Compete for $250,000 in 2012

Visit: www.facebook.com/homedepotfoundation

(SALEM) - Oregon Paralyzed Veterans of America in Salem 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 January 2 and runs through January 31 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.

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.

In the January round of the competition, Oregon Paralyzed Veterans of America is competing against three other nonprofit organizations from across the country including Jewish Family Services in West Bloomfield, Mich., Pilot Club of Denham Springs in Denham Springs, La., and VFW Post 4127 in Homestead, Fla.

“Being selected for the Aprons in Action Program is an honor, and we are so thankful for the recognition,” said Jeff DeLeon, President of Oregon Paralyzed Veterans of America. “If we actually win the $25,000 Home Depot gift card, it would allow Oregon Paralyzed Veterans of America to assist in the adaptation of homes for new catastrophically injured veterans.  Funds would be used in the installation of grab bars, widening of doorways, and installation of ramps.  The difference and the importance of creating an environment that is accessible, as opposed to one that is livable, is unimaginable. So we encourage everyone to go to Facebook and vote for us!”

Working together, Oregon Paralyzed Veterans of America and Team Depot volunteers have already made an impact to last a lifetime for 22 catastrophically injured veterans through a previous service project.  The project included everything from adding ramps to the rear of a home to widening a doorway so a veteran no longer had to scoot across a floor.

Across the country, The Home Depot Associates give back to their communities by volunteering their time and talents with local nonprofit organizations, like Oregon Paralyzed Veterans of America. 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 Caffarelli, 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 runs from January 2 at 9:00 a.m. ET through January 31 at 12 p.m. ET.  Aprons in Action is on Facebook at www.facebook.com/homedepot or 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 February 1 at 9:00 a.m. ET.

For more information and to view the program rules, visit The Home Depot on Facebook or go to www.homedepotfoundation.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