TAYLOR VETERANS HOME PROGRAM: Second honoree is Kennedy High School graduate

Chris and Darcy Holcomb (right) with daughter Veyda and Mayor Rick Sollars and his wife, Alicia

The Taylor Veterans Home Program has awarded the second fully rehabilitated home in its ongoing program to Christopher Michael Holcomb, a former Marine machine gunner who served in combat action in Afghanistan before also serving on a humanitarian mission in Haiti.

Holcomb is a Kennedy High School graduate.

Christopher, his wife Darcy and daughter Veyda, were awarded the residence located at 11360 Polk Street. The Holcomb’s application was selected by a committee consisting of staff from the City of Taylor, The Home Depot Foundation and local members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The photo attached includes Mayor Rick Sollars, his wife Alicia, and Darcy and Chris Holcomb. Veyda was too busy playing in her new bedroom!

It was the second house awarded to a veteran by the program. In early November 2013, the program awarded its first renovated home, in the 6300 block of Oldham, to the Blaine Hicks family. Hicks is a decorated Vietnam War veteran and a former U.S. Postal Service worker who retired in 1997 due to a heart attack.

The City of Taylor and The Home Depot Foundation are the major sponsors of the Taylor Veterans Home Program. The Home Depot Foundation and local store have devoted countless hours, supplies, materials and labor to the project. It is truly the “foundation” of the program.

In the current effort, the City and the Foundation have been joined by over 30 partner organizations, which have combined to donate tens of thousands of dollars in labor and supplies to the campaign.

Volunteering labor, materials and donations to the home rehabilitation effort were the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters (MRCC); The 313 Project (kitchen cabinets and appliances); Al’s Asphalt (driveway); Alta Equipment (riding lawnmower); Area Towing (washing machine); Behr Paint; CBS Radio; the City of Taylor “Taylor Cares” program (infrastructure); Clopay Garage Doors (garage door); Custom Pro Building; Enchanted Makeovers (furnishings and design); Fairfax Electric (electrical work); Flagstar Bank (riding law mower); A-All-Around Electrical (electrical work); Gibbons Home Improvement (construction); Hennessy Engineering (clothes dryer); International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (finishing work); JS Vig (house wares); Masco Cabinetry (paint and material); Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters (construction); Reflections Building (header and wall); Simpson Brothers Construction (demolition and plumbing); Sound Construction; Swanson Construction (chimney and roof); Taylor Recycling (dumpster and disposal); Trentwood Farms (flowers); Wallside Windows (window repair and replacement); Walmart (flat screen television); Meijer (gift cards); MI Custom Signs (welcome banner); and WOW! Cable (material, equipment and service).

Special presentations included the following:

• Enchanted Makeovers – Terry Grahl and Enchanted Makeovers turn a “house” into a true “home” by putting all the finishing touches on the residence with tremendous furnishings and designs worth several thousand dollars

• Barton Malow – One of the nation’s leading constructors in a variety of construction-related fields, the company has offered Christopher Holcomb full-time employment and will fully support him during his ongoing job-skills training efforts.

• Helmet’s to Hard Hats – This organization tells veterans that “Your Life Under Construction” has begun. The group connects quality men and women in the Armed Forces with promising careers in the building and construction fields. While Holcomb is employed by Barton Malow, he will be taking skilled trades training with Helmets to Hardhats.

• Camp Liberty – This organization focuses on programs and its mission is to assist military veterans and their families as they reintegrate into society after combat. The Holcomb family has been invited to participate in the organization’s program.

• Schoolcraft Community College – The college has offered the Holcomb’s daughter Veyda a scholarship to attend and receive a full load of 60 credit hours.

• CAbi Clothing – Has donated $500 worth of clothing for Christopher Holcomb’s wife, Darcy.

• Trinity Transportation – Donated the shuttle services used during the presentation event March 6 at the Polk Street home.

See the WDIV video on the presentation by clicking here.

See the Fox 2 New video on the presentation by clicking here.