Home For Our Troops
Severely Wounded Vet Gets Mortgage-Free Home
Severely Wounded Vet Gets Mortgage-Free Home
Specially Adapted Home Built by Homes for Our Troops
Daisy Bobadilla, Mike Robinson, Fidel Bobadilla, Barbara Robinson
The Arrival
Welcoming Crowd
"I'm going to cry but don't know when."
Teary-Eyed Crowd
Beautiful Hardwood Flooring from Armstrong
Judy Balzer, Armstrong Rep.
Labor of Love for Flooring Installers
Mike Robinson
Accessible Shelving
Accessible Counters
Hardwood and Lower Counters
Hardwood in Kitchen
Armstrong Tile
Rain Didn't Stop Anyone
Greeting a Well-Wisher
Daisy and Fidel
Checking Out His New Backyard
An April rain didn’t stop an enthusiastic crowd from showing up to welcome local resident Fidel Bobadilla, Jr. and his wife, Daisy, as they accepted the keys to their new mortgage-free home from Homes for Our Troops, a national non-profit organization.
In 2011, then Army Specialist Fidel Bobadilla, Jr., was just two months into his first deployment when his armored fighting vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device (IED) in Zabul Province, Afghanistan, resulting in the loss of both of his legs above the knee.
Since returning home to the valley, he had been living in a small apartment that just wasn’t friendly to someone with severe disabilities.
His new home features wide halls and doorways, a large shower and tub, low counters, shelves that drop down, electronic door openers, etc.
Many national corporations donated materials and labor to the project including Certainteed, Kitchen Aid/Whirlpool, and Armstrong Flooring.
Only one local business was involved. Robinson's Interiors donated the labor for the installation of all the flooring, which was mostly hardwood.
Owner Mike Robinson was thrilled to be a part of the project. When Armstrong, who was donating the flooring materials, phoned and asked if he wanted to donate the installation, he said, "I'm all in!"
At Saturday’s ceremony, Robinson said he was particularly pleased that this project was not happening in some big city, but “right here in Hanford.” He was also surprised when he learned of the site’s location on north 12th Avenue. “That’s where the rich people live,” he said.
Also in attendance was Doug Verboon, Kings County District 3 Supervisor. Verboon happens to also be a neighbor of the new occupants and has volunteered to help them with their landscaping and keeping down the weeds, as the country property is a little larger than your normal in-town lot.
“I thank everyone,” Bobadilla said on Saturday. “I still can’t believe I'm receiving this beautiful home, a basket of muffins would have been enough.”
You deserve this home, Fidel. Thank you for your service, Sir!
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