1-800-PACK-RAT is proud to support the Homes For Our Troops (HFOT) organization by donating containers used during the building of their homes. HFOT is a non-profit organization that builds and donates specially adapted custom homes for severely injured post-9/11 Veterans, to enable them to rebuild their lives. These homes are specially designed to help these Veterans with the injuries they sustained while serving their country overseas. Today, we want to highlight Navy PO1 Christopher Andrieu.
PO1 Andrieu was an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Technician assigned to Seal Team Five in Helmand, Afghanistan. During his second deployment on February 5, 2013, Chris and his team were searching a bridge to locate and dispose of any improvised explosive devices (IEDs). During the roughly three-hour search, he and his team found and disposed of four IEDs. Unfortunately, Chris stepped directly onto a fifth IED that was located directly off a cement surface. Chris was severely injured, but was conscious the entire time, pinching his own artery to stop the bleeding.
The result of the blast forced doctors in Afghanistan to amputate Chris’s legs above his knees. Chris was then taken back to the United States and was treated at both Walter Reed and Balboa Naval Hospital. He was able to recover thanks to the help of his family, friends, and medical staff. After numerous surgeries, he was given his first set of prosthetics and within a few months was running a Tough Mudder event by year’s end.
Chris is now medically retired and continues to stay active but must rest his legs when at home. His old home prevented him from doing that as it wasn’t wheelchair accessible. Chris’ wife Autumn worried about him falling due to the lack of accessibility. Thanks to HFOT and the specially adapted custom home built just for Chris and his family, he can live safely as their family continues to grow. Chris and his wife are expecting their second child in December 2018.
Chris now has room to work on his 1968 Mustang, and was inspired by his father, a Coast Guard Veteran of 30 years to work on vehicles. After his father passed away, Chris looks to keep the tradition going and hopes to go to school to become a mechanic.
Chris and Autumn had their home build in the San Diego area to be closer to their family. They say that HFOT is unlike any other organization, “HFOT feels like a family supporting each other. Most organizations focus on getting Veterans out of the house, but most of our lives are spent at home,” said Chris.
1-800-PACK-RAT donated portable storage containers to help with on-site storage. The all-steel, weatherproof, secure containers were able to keep building supplies, appliances and other donations from other companies safe while the home was built, saving both time and money.
Navy PO1 Christopher Andrieu is one of the many Veterans that 1-800-PACK-RAT has assisted with container donations. Learn more about his inspirational story here. If you would like to learn more about how you can donate or assist HFOT in their efforts, wait no longer and check it out today.