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Minnesota Credit Union Foundation home page
• 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.
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| “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.
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| 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.
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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.
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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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of page
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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:
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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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