The Berrien County Veterans Service Office has been able to help a veteran from Niles get a new ramp built for his home thanks to support from Home Depot and Habitat for Humanity.

Berrien County Veterans Services Director Maureen Adams tells us Willie Smoot is a Vietnam-era veteran who sought some assistance.

“Willie Smoot had come into our office and inquired about help with getting a ramp that he had started to build finished,” Adams said. “We took down his information and thought, ‘Geez, maybe we can get Habitat involved in that.’  Not even three days later, we get a call from Home Depot that says, ‘Hey, Veterans Day is coming up and we’re looking to do a project for a veteran. Do you have anything in mind?’”

And they did.

Adams says Home Depot donated the supplies to build a new ramp, and Habitat for Humanity provided the labor and expertise. The ramp was built on October 30 with Smoot on hand.

“He was just overwhelmed and thrilled. What he had started was not up to code, so they had to pull out everything that he started and start from scratch again.”

Adams says the effort is just one example of the many generous individuals, churches, and businesses that have reached out to honor veterans this year.

Now that the Veterans Services Office has been connected with Home Depot’s program to help veterans, Adams says she looks forward to working with them again.

Meanwhile, Willie Smoot and his wife, who have mobility issues, are getting safely in and out of their home thanks to the partnership.