Good morning,

I am writing on behalf of Homes for Our Troops; a non-profit organization that builds specially adapted homes for the service men and women that have been severely injured in combat after September 11, 2001. We are preparing to build a home for LCpl  Paul Schaus in North Tonawanda, NY. 

While on his second deployment, Marine Lance Corporal Paul Schaus was left a double amputee after stepping on a landmine during a firefight with insurgents in Helmand Province, Afghanistan on June 5, 2009. Following a mission protecting another squad while it destroyed an enemy bunker, LCpl Schaus and his squad came under enemy fire. For nearly an hour, the mortars and small arms fire continued as LCpl Schaus and his squad held their ground and engaged the enemy in close range. While taking his team to check the flank for enemy movement, LCpl Schaus stepped on a landmine and was critically injured, losing both of his legs above the knees and a finger on his left hand. Life saving measures by his squad readied him for MEDEVAC to Camp Leatherneck, where despite having twice gone into Cardiac Arrest, LCpl Schaus was able to be airlifted to Landstuhl, Germany. He was eventually transferred state-side and spent a month at Bethesda Naval Medical Center before finally moved to Walter Reed where he remains at this time. To learn more about this project and Homes for Our Troops, go to his page at: www.homesforourtroops.org/schaus

On July 27-28, 2012 we are hosting our Build Brigade, when we will begin construction on the veteran's home and we will go from foundation to a weather tight shell. We would love to have Amherst Chamber and its members  involved in this event to help welcome LCpl Schaus to his new home! On Friday, July 27 we will kick of the Build Brigade with an Opening Ceremony and we will begin construction immediately after the ceremony. I have attached our event invitation and event flyer for you to share with your members as well as anyone who may be interested in this project. For this event, we are looking for volunteers as well as food and beverage donations to help support the construction efforts. I look forward to the opportunity to work with the Amherst community on this project.

Thank you very much and I look forward to hearing from you!

Autumn Oster

508-823-3300 ext 209