“Toolbelt Diva” Norma Vally gets her BOOTS ON to Transform Veteran’s Backyard
Las Vegas, NV (November 27, 2013) – It can be difficult for us at the Boot Campaign to express our deep admiration for those who serve. Through the Boot Campaign’s Assistance Programs we do our upmost to give back to our veterans, and their families, when they return home. One such family is the Reynolds family. We met Ben and Melissa in May 2012 when we united with our charity partner, Military Warriors Support Foundation, and corporate sponsors, Fairway Independent Mortgage, Papillon Helicopters and Grand Canyon Airlines, to present this young couple with keys to their forever home.
Ben and Melissa Reynolds, and their three children, received their Las Vegas home Memorial Day Weekend 2012 at the annual Best Dam BBQ event in Boulder City, NV. In May 2012, we had the pleasure of meeting Ben and Melissa Reynolds.
Corporal Ben Reynolds served in the Marine Corps from 2004-2008. When Ben enlisted out of Milwaukee, WI he was only 17 years old. Ben turned 18 two-thirds of the way through Marine Corps Boot Camp. Ben was stationed at Camp Pendleton, CA where he was assigned to 2nd Battalion 4th Marines Echo Company. Ben’s first deployment was in 2005 to the Asia Pacific. On his second deployment (2006-2007) he was one of the first American military members to train with the Indian Army. He also spent time in Ar Ramadi Iraq, the hometown of Sadam Husein and Ar Rutpah.
On January 22, 2007, Ben was seriously injured in an IED explosion that took the lives of several of his brothers in arms. Ben lost strength in his left hand and wrist due to shrapnel wounds. He was awarded the Purple Heart for his bravery in battle, among many other military awards.
Joining us for the Reynold’s family home presentation was TV personality and home improvement guru, “Toolbelt Diva” Norma Vally. So moved by what she witnessed during that presentation, Norma made it her mission to use her talents to greater enhance the Reynold’s new home.
With three young children, Ben and Melissa were nervous about the desert landscaping of the yard. Norma met with the family to go over the design for their dream backyard that would provide a safe space for the kids to play. Together with the Boot Campaign, Star Nursery of Las Vegas, Papillon Helicopter and Grand Canyon Scenic Airlines, the backyard makeover project was officially a “go!”
Norma’s volunteer crew worked through the desert heat to completely transform the family’s backyard. Now, with a gorgeous backyard of plush green grass and landscaping, this is a space for hours upon hours of fun times with the kiddos.
Boot Campaign would like to thank Norma Vally for using her heart and talent to give back to this military family in such a special and unique way! BOOTS ON!
