A Very Thankful Kitchen Renovation

November is here and Thanksgiving is upon us. The Wiese Company would like to send a big Thank You to all the Veterans and their families. I know Veterans Day and Thanksgiving are two very different holidays, but this is a good time of year to be thankful to those neighbors and friends who volunteered and have made sacrifices to serve our country.

We get to know our delivery folks well because we see them almost daily at the showroom with a constant stream of kitchen and bath fixtures coming through. Our former Fed Ex driver, and Army Veteran, Matt Lizotte is a great hard working person who served 2 deployments in Afghanistan. One day Matt asked about cabinets and told me about his condo with the tired kitchen. I told Matt about the average cost of a kitchen renovation and saw the look of disbelief in his eyes. Matt said, well- Maybe next year.

Since the initial kitchen conversation, Matt and I have had dinner out together about once a month. I learned that Matt didn’t want a free kitchen, or a parade, or anything but a decent job and a friend who gets it. So The Wiese Team went to work! After receiving permission from our veteran, we measured up and our designers came up with a look (all of which was a surprise) and we went to work on delivering a special and complimentary new space. Many folks don’t know that leaving your military friends and family you were deployed with can leave such a void that many Veterans long to go back to those not so nice environments just to be with their people. It doesn’t take a free kitchen to help someone assimilate back to apple pie and ball game- just a “how is your day going” from time to time so they can feel like they are where they belong will help.

One more thing I am just as thankful for this November: the people I work with every day. They gave their time for free with enthusiasm. Our Painter Kevin Carlson, Plumber Dan Lannon, Electrician Steve Pacewicz also provided services at no cost and we received free materials from Taylor Forest Products and Showplace Wood. The Sherborn Elementary School “Pine Hill” 4th and 5th Grade Chorus donated $250 they raised for a Veteran Cause to build the flag. What a fantastic demonstration of a community showing their gratitude and support. Thank you ALL!

One last note: I know I have many Veteran clients we have done amazing renovations for over the years, congratulations on your success and your help with our firm’s success. Unfortunately I will not be able to make those projects pro bono :). Happy Thanksgiving- Ray