(ANDERSON) – On Veteran’s Day 2019, Bob’s Discount Furniture, one of the fastest-growing furniture retailers in the United States, partnered with the Indianapolis Colts and Operation Homefront, a national nonprofit that serves America’s military families, to surprise the Sawyer family of Anderson, Ind. with a home makeover and new furniture. The day’s makeover began as the Bob’s team delivered furniture for the family’s home, and culminated with the exciting reveal. To surprise the Sawyer family, Indianapolis Colts’ RB Nyheim Hines, cheerleaders, and team mascot “Blue” made an appearance to celebrate with the family.
Veteran Brian Sawyer suffered from a traumatic brain injury and broken clavicle after an IED explosion while serving in Afghanistan. After several extremely difficult years which resulted in the family losing their house, the Sawyers applied and were accepted into Operation Homefront’s Homes on the Homefront program. With the help of Operation Homefront, Brian and his family are again stable and secure, having recently moved into their new home. To mark this accomplishment, Bob’s Discount Furniture provided the family with a $25,000 furniture donation.
“We are honored to partner with Operation Homefront and the Indianapolis Colts to help bring the Sawyer family’s dream home to life,” said Lindsay Ruszczyk, director of communications for Bob’s Discount Furniture. “At Bob’s, we are dedicated to giving back to the communities we serve and, through our growing partnership with Operation Homefront, we are always looking for ways to support and honor military families from coast to coast, whether it’s financial support or furniture donations to military families, like the Sawyers, moving into new homes.”
Ahead of the Veteran’s Day furniture delivery, Brian’s wife, Christina, participated in a shopping trip at the Bob’s Discount Furniture Castleton location, where she selected furniture for four bedrooms, an office, two living areas, a dining area, and kitchen. By working closely with the Bob’s, Operation Homefront, and Colts teams, Christina helped coordinate the surprise for Brian and the children. In addition to the home makeover, the family will be treated to an upcoming Colts game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on November 17, where each family member will receive a special Colts fan pack.
“We are thrilled that Bob’s Discount Furniture and the Indianapolis Colts have chosen to honor veterans and military families through an impactful partnership with Operation Homefront,” said Darcy Clardy, senior director of Operation Homefront. “Their support drives our ability to build strong, stable, and secure military families so they can thrive – not simply struggle to get by – in the communities they have worked so hard to protect. We thank Bob’s Discount Furniture and the Colts for their commitment to serving America’s military families.”
The Sawyer family’s Veterans Day surprise marks the second year in a row that Bob’s has partnered with the Colts on a project to support veterans. While the Colts have several year-round initiatives that serve both active duty military and veterans, each year they amplify their efforts throughout the month of November as part of the NFL’s Salute to Service campaign.
“The Colts’ mission is to entertain, inspire, and unite Colts fans everywhere, and one important way we do that is by giving back to those who gave up so much for the rest of us,” said Ashley Powell, Colts director of community relations. “We’re so happy to partner with Bob’s and Operation Homefront to brighten the lives of the Sawyer family, who have made huge sacrifices in the name of service to our country.”
