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• What is Homes for Our Troops?
• Who is Sergeant Marcus Kuboy?
• Supplemental Information
• Media Coverage

Contribute to Homes for Our Troops
(For a printable contribution form, click here.)

 

Surrounded by family, friends and his colleagues from the National Guard, Sgt. Kuboy attended the groundbreaking for his new home on Monday, April 28. He was joined by representatives from Homes for Our Troops, the Minnesota Credit Union Network, the Credit Union National Association, the Republican National Convention and the National Journal Group. In addition, Gov. Pawlenty, Congresswoman Michele Bachman (R-6th District), credit union professionals and volunteers, and community members attended in support of the project.

Gov. Pawlenty expressed his appreciation and gratitude for the sacrifice Sgt. Kuboy made for his country. He thanked all servicemen and women for their dedication to their country and their willingness to serve.

“As a state, we need to say ‘thank you’ in both words and deeds to our brave military men and women,” Governor Tim Pawlenty said. Everybody can do something to thank our veterans and everybody should do something to express their gratitude, he added.

For credit unions, thanking and assisting veterans isn’t a new initiative. Every day credit unions help veterans with their financial needs – when they are here, when they are gone, and when they return. This project allows Minnesota credit unions to come together and collectively express their support of the sacrifices made by our military.

Gov. Pawlenty signs Sgt. Kuboy’s
cast during the groundbreaking on Monday.
“Owning your home is the American dream, and we are proud to be able to make this dream a reality for Sergeant Kuboy,” said Mark D. Cummins, MnCUN President & CEO.

Overwhelmed and extremely grateful for everybody’s generosity, Sgt. Kuboy thanked everyone for their support and encouraged them to continue supporting and giving back to servicemen and women. He looks forward to receiving his house in September at an event around the Republican National Convention.

Along with family members and supporters, Sgt. Kuboy digs the first shovelfuls for his new house.
From left to right: Sgt. Kuboy’s brother, Christopher Kuboy; Sgt. Kuboy; Sgt. Kuboy’s father, Peter Kuboy; Gov. Pawlenty; Homes for Our Troops President & Founder, John Gonsalves; Republican National Convention President & CEO, Maria Cino; MnCUN President & CEO, Mark D. Cummins; Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, Credit Union National Association Vice Chairman, Kris Mecham; President of Reiling Construction, Brigid O’Malley; and Homes for Our Troops Vice President & Chief Projects Office, Kirt Rebello.

 

 

Founded in 2004, Homes for Our Troops is a national non-profit, non-partisan organization committed to assisting severely injured and disabled servicemen and women and their immediate families. This organization works with local contractors to build new homes that are handicap-accessible, often for multiple amputees and individuals with spinal cord injuries.

On Sept. 1-4, 2008, national attention will be focused on Minnesota as St. Paul hosts the National Convention. During this time, we hope to direct some of that attention to Homes for Our Troops and the credit union involvement in this program. Minnesota credit unions, working in conjunction with Homes for Our Troops and CUNA, will provide the funding and volunteer support necessary to complete this project.

Credit unions will have a strong presence at the National Conventions and are excited to continue progressing on this special project, allowing them to leave a lasting legacy in the convention cities and to give something back to the host communities.

The groundbreaking and construction in Minnesota and Colorado is expected to begin in the coming months. The deeding ceremonies for these uniquely-outfitted homes will take place in conjunction with the respective conventions.

Fundraising efforts are currently underway!

 

Contribute to Homes for Our Troops
(For a printable contribution form, click here.)

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Sergeant Marcus Kuboy, 30, served three years active duty for the Minnesota National Guard. His tour in Iraq was initially due to end on March 21, 2007, but it was extended by six months to support the troop surge. While patrolling the outskirts of Fallujah with his unit (2/136 CAB) on March 23, 2007, the truck Sgt. Kuboy’s was riding in ran over an IED bomb, causing it to explode. He and his vehicle were airborne, and Sgt. Kuboy was ejected.

The explosion severely injured Sgt. Kuboy’s legs, and he broke his back, left arm and jaw upon landing. One soldier died in the attack and Sgt. Kuboy’s roommate had both his legs broken when the truck he had been in landed on them. Sgt. Kuboy does not remember the attack.

Sgt. Kuboy was the Army Medic for his unit and he also served as the unit trainer for the Combat Life Saver Qualification program. Sgt. Kuboy’s skill and training are credited for saving his life and that of his roommate.
Sgt. Kuboy spent his initial recovery of four-and-a-half months as a patient at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. He then spent five months as an outpatient at the Fisherhouse in Washington, D.C. During those months, he endured eight surgeries. Sgt. Kuboy is now part of the Community Based Health Care Operation (part of the U.S. Army Medical Command) for injured soldiers, which allows wounded war veterans to rehabilitate closer to home. He has suffered some setbacks on the road to recovery, including a serious bone infection in his left leg that may lead to amputation. While his right leg sustained the brunt of the damage in Iraq, it does appear to be healing, so hopefully it will not need to be amputated. He needs to use a wheelchair to get around, but can use crutches if it is just a short distance.

Sgt. Kuboy is a Minnesota native, and his parents currently live in Minneapolis. Sgt. Kuboy was born in Robbinsdale, but grew up in New Hope. He is a graduate of the Robbinsdale Armstrong High School in Plymouth where he played hockey and football. In the summers, he enjoyed playing softball in local leagues. Marcus also attended the Minneapolis Community & Technical College, where he studied history.

Sgt. Kuboy is very excited to call St. Paul his new hometown. He says the city is full of history and has a lot of character. He is very thankful that people have separated the war from the soldiers – especially how it has brought out the best in a lot of good people.

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VIDEO
Check out the Homes for Our Troops video featuring Minnesota and Colorado credit unions!
This DVD can be shown at credit union annual meetings or other events. !

To obtain a copy of this DVD, contact Scott Shoberg of the Minnesota Credit Union Network office.

POSTER
Download and print this high-resolution pdf to display as a poster in the high-traffic areas of your branches.

• Homes for Our Troops poster

LOBBY BOXES
Credit unions can order special lobby boxes to take contributions in their branch offices. To request lobby boxes, please e-mail your request (including quantity) to Monica Weber at the Minnesota Credit Union Network office.

NEWSLETTER ARTICLE
A sample article is available that can be be personalized and published in your credit union’s newsletter, on your web site, or anywhere else you see fit.

LETTER TO MEMBERS
A sample letter is available to allow credit unions to contact their members and raise awareness of this project.

DOLLAR-FOR-DOLLAR MATCHING PROGRAM
The Homes for Our Troops committee assembled to raise funds for this important credit union project has a goal of $150,000. The committee is working in conjunction with the Minnesota Credit Union Foundation. The Foundation has received a $50,000 grant to establish a dollar-for-dollar matching program for the first $50,000 contributed. The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity; therefore, contributions may be deductible for Federal income tax purposes to the extent permitted by law.

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PRESS RELEASES:

  • April 28, 2008 “Republican National Convention & supporting groups break ground for wounded Iraq veteran’s home”
  • Feb. 22, 2008 ”Minnesota war veteran to receive new home – Credit unions, Republican National Convention, others teaming up for service project”

NEWS COVERAGE:


Minnesota’s KSTP Channel 5 Eyewitness News reporter Chris O’Connell interviewed Sgt. Kuboy at the Minnesota Credit Union Network office in St. Paul on Feb. 25.

 


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