ST. CLOUD, Fla. — The home of a 96-year-old war veteran just got a facelift.
- Croups came together to make over veteran Helen Crawford's home
- Crawford is a U.S. Army Captain veteran who worked in Japan
- Volunteers did landscaping and other home improvements
Helen Crawford, a U.S. Army Captain veteran, served as a nurse from 1955 to 1959 at the U.S. Hospital in Tokyo, Japan.
Crawford broke her hip a couple of years ago, so doing things at the house doesn’t come as easy anymore — this is why the community has come together to give her house a facelift.
The Osceola Council on Aging, Home Depot, and the St. Cloud Police Department came together to make some improvements in Crawford’s home.
They put screening in her Florida room, did landscaping, mulching, and added some new plants in. Volunteers also painted the outside of her home. The crew also installed a 20-foot flag pole to celebrate the service Helen provided to the U.S.
Carter Florence, Director of Strategy and Impact for Meals on Wheels America, said it is important to show seniors love and care.
“It’s critical. It is the foundation of both of our organizations,” Florence said. “And it’s very much where we collide and can collaborate and support each other.”
As a nurse, Crawford was always used to taking care of folks, but now she’s happy to see that others are taking care of her in return.
Meals on Wheels America has helped over 1,000 veterans across the United States, and they’ve had more than 20 of the team depots projects.