Local veteran, Ryan Bugler, to be honored with gift of independence this Veteran’s Day
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 5.5 million U.S. veterans are living with a disability; many facing everyday challenges such as bathing. This Veteran’s Day, NEWPRO Home Improvement Solutions, a greater New England- based home remodeling company that specializes in windows, doors, roofing, siding and bathrooms, is teaming up with nine home improvement companies from across the country on an initiative called Baths for the Brave. This one-day special event is planned for Wednesday, Nov. 8 and will provide ten veterans from across the country, including Ryan Bugler from Dracut, Massachusetts, with a brand-new tub or shower system, free of charge, to help improve the lives of those who sacrificed so much for our country.
Ryan is a Marine Corp. veteran, who joined the service right out of high school. Once he returned home, he continued to serve others as a firefighter and paramedic, and it was while on that job that he suffered a life-altering injury that effected his mobility from the waist down. He uses a service dog, a 5-year-old black lab named Noonan, to help him get around his home, which is an everyday struggle.
“I was about ready to take a saw to the bath tub to create the opening for easier and safer access,” said Ryan. “This will mean independence and freedom in my home.”
“Providing a safe bathing environment and helping our nation’s heroes maintain their dignity and independence is the reason why we wanted to get involved with Baths for the Brave,” Nick Cogliani, president of NEWPRO, said. “No one should have to worry about falling in their own tub or shower so we’re proud to be a Baths for the Brave partner.”
Baths for the Brave stemmed from a similar initiative created by Tundraland Home Improvements, a Wisconsin-based home remodeling company, which provided veterans in need and deserving families with remodeled bathrooms, standing wheelchairs and family vacations to Disney World, all free of charge.
“Giving back is a fundamental way of life for us at Tundraland,” Brian Gottlieb, president and owner of Tundraland, said. “It’s more than what we do; it’s who we are. Our whole team is on board and passionate about it, so growing this program nationwide was something we were all
very excited about. We’re thankful our partnering home improvement companies have similar values. Our hope is this initiative continues to grow so we may serve even more veterans in the years to come.”
“We’re really excited to tell Ryan’s story,” Cogliani said. “Knowing that Ryan will go to bed on Nov. 8 with the peace of mind that he is safe and independent is just a great feeling. Baths for the Brave truly will improve his life.”
All participating home improvement companies, including NEWPRO, will donate 100 percent of their time and materials to a veteran in need from their own local community. The remodels across the country will all take place simultaneously. Additional participating companies also include:
·Alenco in Lenexa, Kansas
·Brytons Home Improvement in Winterville, North Carolina
·Fairbanks Construction in Ocala, Florida
·Hullco Exteriors in Chattanooga, Tennessee
·MaxHome in New Orleans, Louisiana
·Reborn Cabinets Inc. in Anaheim, California
·Tiger Bath Solutions in Bolingbrook, Illinois
·Tundraland Home Improvements in Kaukauna, Wisconsin
·West Shore in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
For more information on Baths for the Brave including more information about Ryan, additional veteran stories from across the country, why each company wanted to get involved and how you, too, can follow this special event, please visit www.bathsforthebrave.com.
