Operations

Arpin helps disabled veteran move into donated home

Oct. 15, 2015

Arpin Van Lines will help an Army veteran and his family move into their new mortgage-free home on an upcoming episode of "Designing Spaces Military Makeover."

Arpin Van Lines will help an Army veteran and his family move into their new mortgage-free home on an upcoming episode of "Designing Spaces Military Makeover." The program will air on Lifetime Television on Oct. 16 at 7 a.m. (ET/PT) with a re-air on Dec.10.From the producers of the home decorating and remodeling show, "Designing Spaces," "Military Makeover" is a mini-series dedicated to giving back to members of U.S. military and their loved ones. Enlisting the help of decorators, designers, landscapers and other home renovation experts, the show's host, retired U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. R. Lee Ermey, or "The Gunny," helps transform the homes of military families across the country.Retired U.S. Navy Capt. Matt Dolan, who served for 24 years as an aviator, is now chief operating officer and senior vice president of military services for Arpin Group."Arpin has many retired military and honorably discharged veterans on our staff,” Dolan said. “We have a pledge, and that is 'to treat each soldier, sailor, airman, coast guardsman and marine with the same honor and dignity with which they serve our nation.' We do everything to make the moving process as stress free as possible for them and their families while offering them special discounts and incentives. We are thrilled to be here on Military Makeover, and to be able to lend a hand to Thomas Travis and family with their moving needs."According to the company, the story began a few months ago, when the show's producers received a call from Wilma "Tinky" Stuart of Orlando, FL. She was touched by what she saw on the Military Makeover series that aired in November 2014, coming from a military family herself. Wilma wanted to make a difference for a needy veteran – and has donated a home to the next Military Makeover family.The featured veteran, Tommy Travis, spent nearly eight years in the U.S. Army, including deployments to Iraq and Guantanamo Bay. Last year, he retired from the military and today he suffers from PTSD and a traumatic brain injury, according to the company. “Tommy's disabilities have complicated his day-to-day life as he juggles supporting his family while going back to finish his degree,” the company said. “The chance to be on Designing Spaces' Military Makeover gives Tommy's family the clean slate they need to shape their future.”