ABINGTON, PA - Travis Manion Foundation (TMF), along with Entercom, the #1 creator of live, original, local audio content in the United States and its Philadelphia stations SportsRadio 94WIP, KYW Newsradio 1060, Talk Radio 1210 WPHT, 965TDY, Today’s 101.1 More-FM and 98.1 WOGL and their partners, have teamed up for an Operation Legacy Service Project in Abington, PA. Highlights of this partnership include the renovation of Iraqi War veteran, Matthew Renner’s home. The unveiling of the renovation and official ribbon cutting of the home will take place Friday, October 26th, 2018 at 10am.
Travis Manion Foundation, along with Entercom, and home improvement partners teamed up to provide U.S. Army veteran Matthew Renner a home fit for a hero and thus honor his contributions to the country. Each April and November, Travis Manion Foundation organizes Operation Legacy Service Projects, which unite communities for a common cause through volunteer led service opportunities. Under this umbrella, Entercom and TMF joined forces to unite home improvement partners to donate their services in renovating the home of US Army and Iraq war veteran Matthew Renner.
The official ribbon cutting ceremony will include the participation of numerous local dignitaries including State Representative Madeline Dean, Ward 8 Commissioner Peggy Myers, Abington Township Chief of Police Patrick Molloy, Travis Manion Foundation, Entercom Philadelphia (with 1210-WPHT host Rich Zeoli serving as emcee), and the generous home improvement partners who donated their services, to celebrate the conclusion of this amazing project.
Home improvement partners who contributed towards this project include:
- Volpe Enterprises based out of North Wales, removed the old roof, and installed a brand new CertainTeed Integrity Roof System.
- All Seasons Comfort Control in partnership with American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning, and Ferguson HVAC, supplied the Renners with a brand new high efficiency American Standard Gas furnace and cooling unit, new ducting, and a new digital thermostat.
- Employing Bricklayers Association and Bricklayers Allied Craftworkers Local #1, in partnership with Dzwil Contracting (Brian McGrath Jr., US Marines Ret.) and Haye Construction (John Haye, US Air Force, Ret.), with the help of EP Henry and its HeroScaping program, provided a brand new backyard, EP Henry patio, and retaining wall.
About Matthew Renner:
Matthew Renner is a 3rd-generation military enlistee, and has utilized the discipline and work ethic he learned in the military throughout his life as a civilian. Matthew is a Montgomery Country native, who grew up in Sellersville and currently resides in Abington, PA. In 2002, Matthew enlisted, serving two tours in Iraq as a machine gun turret gunner. While serving in Ramadi during his second deployment, Mathew's placement atop his unit's Humvee put in him in danger during an IED explosion. As a result of his injuries, Matthew required eight surgeries, and medically retired in 2008.
He was awarded two Bronze stars and a Purple Heart for his service, but found reintegration into society difficult. Matthew is nothing if not strong, and with the help of friends and family, is fully in recovery now after an intensive PTSD and Addiction treatment program. He has gone back to school for specialty certifications, and with the help of a chocolate lab named Gunner, a gift from a family member during his time healing, he met the love of his life...the future Mrs. Katelyn Renner.
Matthew and Katelyn had planned a big wedding in 2016, but a series of unfortunate events changed those plans. They had to replace Matthew’s car following a terrible accident, and shortly after Kate needed an emergency appendectomy, which further depleted their savings. Meanwhile, the house they had just purchased in Abington required extensive renovations, to the point that they were forced to cancel the wedding in favor or a smaller, more intimate affair.
Now, the two are moving forward, even without their dream wedding, hoping to get their home safe and comfortable for a much-desired child. Through this Operation Legacy Project, Entercom and the Travis Manion Foundation are able to assist them with these home improvements, and are happy to pay back this veteran's sacrifice and service to our country.
