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LONE TREE, Colo. — Making repairs around the home for a veteran in Lone Tree is nearly impossible as his health deteriorates. It's why the community came together to donate money and time to chip away at some much-needed home repairs.
Wes Kouns served three years in the U.S. Army Special Forces as a combat medic during the Vietnam War.
"He's the kind of guy that crawls out under fire to wounded soldiers and drags them back to safety," Wes' friend, Mike Pedersen, said.
Pedersen is an Army veteran himself. He said he noticed Kouns' roof was falling apart and the paint was chipping away, so he gathered some volunteers from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and got to work. Volunteers gathered each Saturday, for at least a month, and spent eight hours a day chipping away at the checklist.
"The way we work, we work for five minutes sit for 15," Pedersen said.
Pederson and volunteers painted the home, added a fence and landscaping. Brady Martin, the owner of TSV Construction, donated the labor for the new roof and GAF donated the shingles. The roof was initially estimated to cost $24,000 — money Kouns says he didn't have. Martin says his employees stepped up and took a pay cut for the job.
Denver7 viewers saw Kouns' story and wanted to help repair the water damage in the kitchen. The Scripps Howard Foundation, through Denver7 Gives, surprised Kouns with a $500 gift card to The Home Depot.
"My goodness what a pleasant surprise, I'm overwhelmed," Kouns said.
"It's overwhelming, what a surprise, it just shows that people in this city and this state are unbelievable," Pedersen added.
Pederson plans to repair the damaged kitchen ceiling himself to help save money.
Denver7 has created an easy way for people to help others in our community. We have featured the stories of people who need help and now you help them with a cash donation through Denver7 Gives. One hundred percent of contributions to the fund will be used to help people in our local community.
