ANDERSON, In – Saturday, September 26 at 10:00 AM, Ricker’s and The Path Home will host a ribbon cutting ceremony to welcome local disabled veteran, Tim Senkowski, and his family to their new home in Anderson, Indiana. The Path Home, a non-for-profit organization that helps veterans and their families, began fundraising efforts in May of 2012 to build the well-deserving Senkowski family a home to accommodate Tim’s disabilities.
Since the commencement of the project three years ago, Ricker’s Convenience Stores has donated more than $45,000 through their in-store fundraising initiative, “A Home for Tim.” In addition to the generous contribution of Ricker’s customers, the donation includes a gift from BP and a company match from Ricker’s.
“Ricker’s was the first corporation to really step up and put legitimacy to the program,” said Bob Luenebrink with The Path Home. “Their initiative inspired many other sponsors to get involved and is a contributing factor to this project’s success.”
Tim Senkowski was seriously injured by an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) during his deployment in Afghanistan in October 2011. He lost both legs above the knee, much of the muscle in his right arm and his entire left buttock. Prior to his injuries, Senkowski was the primary caretaker to his wife with a disability, their eldest son, nine-year-old, Dusty (who has autism), four-year-old son, Embry and one-year-old son, Takota.
“We are so thrilled to see Tim and his family finally welcomed to their new home,” said Jay Ricker, company Founder and Chairman. “Tim is a hero for what he endured for our country’s freedom. We are beyond honored to have been part of this effort for someone so deserving and hope that this home will allow Tim and his family a safe and functional environment for them to grow and thrive.”
Four years after his return from Afghanistan, Senkowski will get his wish of a home that allows him and his family the necessary space and accessibility to accommodate his disabilities.
“Every aspect of the home was specifically designed with Tim and his family in mind,” said Luenebrink. “We have countless sponsors to thank for bringing all of this together and every single one of them did it for no other reason than for Tim Senkowski. He and his family are beyond deserving and worthy of this opportunity and we are thankful that The Path Home and our sponsors were able to provide it to them.”
Random Acts, a non-profit organization dedicated to funding and inspiring acts of kindness, contributed to the cause through their “Change A Life” project. With partnership from the Greatest International Scavenger Hunt the World Has Ever Seen (GISHWES), and all of their Random Acts supporters, “Change A Life ” was able to provide all brand new furnishings and decorations for the Senkowski home.
The ribbon cutting will take place next Saturday, September 26, at 10:00 am at 215 S County Road 500 W. Anderson, Indiana.
