LINCOLN — As part of the grand opening celebration of its new store in Lincoln, the S.W. Collins Company made a presentation to House in the Woods, whose mission is to create a therapeutic, recreational, and educational retreat for U.S. armed forces and their families. The nonprofit organization is currently constructing a new building at its home base in Lee and the $2,500 donation will go towards the purchase of new windows.
Contributed photo
The S.W. Collins Co. recently presented $2,500 to House in the Woods Military and Family Retreat, located in Lee, for the purchase of new windows. At the presentation are, from left: Sam Collins, president of S.W. Collins Co.; Dee House, mother of fallen soldier Sgt. Joel House; Gregg Collins, vice president of S.W. Collins Co., Donald Collins, former president of S.W. Collins Co.; Paul House, father of Sgt. Joel House; and Bill Emery, father of fallen soldier Sgt. Blair Emery. The Houses’ grandson looks on.
Paul and Dee House are the parents of Sgt. Joel A. House, who was killed in Taji, Iraq, in 2007 while serving with the U.S. Army’s 1st Calvary Division of Fort Hood, Texas. In an effort to keep their son’s memory alive, family and friends have established an outdoor retreat program that assists returning veterans in the journey towards healing the mental and physical pain of loss.
“We are very appreciative to S.W. Collins for contributing to the construction of our new building,” said Paul House. “We have a long ways to go but this will definitely help our efforts to complete the project.”
The donation was presented to the House family by Don Collins, former president of S.W. Collins and World War II veteran who fought in the Battle of the Bulge.
Company President Sam Collins stated, “We are pleased to be able to assist with the building of the House in the Woods and honor our many Veterans and fallen heroes. We all owe a debt of gratitude to the many men and women who have served our country to keep us safe and free.”
S.W. Collins is a fifth-generation Aroostook County lumber and building supply franchise and has locations in Lincoln, Houlton, Presque Isle and Caribou. Commitment to excellent products and service has been the core of the business since 1844.
For more information on House in the Woods, visit houseinthewoods.org.
