Some projects carry a special meaning. Sundt’s work with Embrace, a San Diego-area nonprofit that remodels homes for veterans, is a great example.
As part of Embrace’s Healing Our Heroes’ Homes program, several of our employee-owners recently completed work on the home of a veteran in Lakeside, California. Steven Ellenson joined the Army in 1968 and spent time in Vietnam on a convoy escort team. He suffers from permanent post-traumatic stress disorder, making it difficult to perform home renovations.
The remodel included extensive property cleanup, central air installation, two new concrete driveways, concrete walkways, new deck and privacy fencing, flooring replacement, complete kitchen and bathroom remodel, appliance replacement, re-wiring of the entire house, installation of a new well and new fencing.
Sundt managed the project, which included work by members of the Jack in the Box Foundation, Team Depot (The Home Depot) and students from San Diego State University. Subcontractors and vendors who assisted included Helix Electric, Tim Guishard Enterprises, Countywide Mechanical, ISEC, Inc., Rocky Coast Builders, Cement Cutting, Advance Plumbing, Johnson Finch & McClure, Christian Brothers Flooring, Pecoraro Paint, Border Construction Specialties, Sign Age Identity Systems, Inland Pacific Tile, EDCO, Hanson Aggregates West, Western Concrete Pumping, Briteway and Standard Drywall.
Sundt employee-owner Nate Larsen oversaw the project and was awarded Embrace’s Community Service Award for his work.
Embrace’s Founder Sean Sheppard said: “I don’t recall not seeing Nate with a pleasant disposition or a smile on his face, whether he was painting, driving heavy equipment, hanging blinds, coordinating subcontractors, cutting wood, mixing concrete or being on his hands and knees sweeping dirt off the floor with a brush and dustpan. He did all this as the unquestioned leader of the entire remodel and was clearly happy to do all of it.”
The volunteer efforts were part of Sundt Foundation work performed in communities where our company does business.
Founded in 2000, Embrace mobilizes college students to do volunteer work. The nonprofit has performed 10 home remodels for veterans.