O'Mara, Palmesano continue to urge support for a second RenovatingHope project locally ~ Less than one week to go in online voting

Bath, N.Y., March 7—State Senator Tom O’Mara (R-C, Big Flats) and Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning) today urged area residents to support the veterans assistance organization RenovatingHope by voting daily online in the The Home Depot Foundation’s 2nd annual “Aprons in Action” contest.

In a joint statement, O’Mara and Palmesano said: “We are proud to take every opportunity that we possibly can to support our veterans.  We hope that as many area residents as possible will join us in this effort to help RenovatingHope make a life-changing difference for another local hero.”

Last December RenovatingHope, a not-for-profit veterans aid organization based in West Chester, Pennsylvania, completed a home remodeling project for an area wounded veteran, U.S. Army Sergeant Robert Costley of Erin, Chemung County. The organization now wants to complete a home makeover for a second area wounded veteran, one from Steuben County, and hopes to be assisted in that effort through the Home Depot’s “Aprons in Action” competition in March. 

Consequently, O’Mara and Palmesano are joining RenovatingHope and other area veterans services agencies and community organizations to encourage area residents to vote daily and help RenovatingHope win $25,000 by receiving the most online votes in March. 

Voting began on March 1st and runs through March 31, 2013.  The organization receiving the most online votes during this time will receive a $25,000 prize to help fund an organizational or community improvement project.  The monthly winner also receives the chance to compete for the Grand Prize of $250,000 at the end of the year-long program.

“If we win the $25,000 from The Home Depot, we would be able to help a veteran in need by remodeling their kitchen and bath, and installing energy-efficient appliances, windows, a new 90% EFF gas boiler, a maintenance-free deck, attic insulation, and other needed repairs. So help us make a difference by voting everyday on Facebook, and tell everyone you know to do the same!” said Paul S. Hoffecker, founder and CEO of RenovatingHope.

In the March round of the competition, RenovatingHope is competing against three other veterans-focused organizations across the country, including Charlotte Community ToolBank in Charlotte, N.C., Frontline Mission in Farmington, N.M., and Active Heroes in Louisville, Ky. The runner-up organizations will receive $5,000.

CLICK HERE to register your vote (remember that you must have or create a Facebook account to be able to vote).