Simonton Windows Continues Support of Homes for Our Troops

PARKERSBURG, W. VA. – Simonton Windows^®, a leading manufacturer of energy-efficient vinyl windows and doors, provided support for 11 Homes for Our Troops project homes in 2009. The non-profit organization constructs homes (at no cost) for severely disabled U.S. service men and women returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.
 
“Simonton windows were used in the construction of homes for service personnel in Utah, Georgia, Texas, Kentucky, Illinois, Virginia and North Carolina,” according to Gary Pember, vice president of marketing for Simonton Windows. “These were top-quality ENERGY STAR^® qualified Simonton ProFinish^® new construction windows that will help lower the energy costs for veterans residing in these new homes.  
 
“It’s a privilege for our company to continue supporting Homes for Our Troops. We began our involvement with this terrific organization when they first launched in 2004. Since that time, we’ve donated windows and doors and contributed financial support. Simonton President Mark Savan also served on the board. This is one way we can give back to the deserving veterans who served our country and so valiantly protect our freedom.”
 
The Homes for Our Troops project in Riverton, Utah, features Simonton ProFinish Brickmould 600 casement windows in the home of Army SPC Bryan Jacobs, who was injured in Iraq in 2004. Another project home in Lubbock, Texas, includes Simonton ProFinish Contractor windows. This house was constructed for Army SPC Reas Axtell, who was badly injured in a 2007 blast that left him with no legs. As with many of the projects, this home features casement windows because they’re easier for physically challenged individuals to operate. 
 
“This home means more independence for myself and my family” says Axtell. “It’s been constructed to accommodate my wheelchair and special needs. Not having to worry about maintaining the easy-care windows is one of the things that make this house special. And, now I can open and close the windows because of the easy crank-out operations of the Casement units.”
 
In Mahomet, Ill., Army Sergeant Cameron Crouch also finds his Simonton casement windows easy to operate. Crouch had both legs amputated below the knees following a rooftop cave-in on him in Iraq in 2007. A similar situation for Army Sergeant Chasetin Matthews gives him a great appreciation for the operating efficiencies of casement windows. The eight Simonton units in his new Homes for Our Troops house in Eddyville, Ky., are valuable because he doesn’t have to worry about the “lift and push” action required for double or single hung windows.
 
“I lost both my legs as a result of an IED explosion in Iraq in 2007,” says Matthews. “It was amazing to realize that not having the use of my legs means I can’t do simple things like push open a window. The casement windows in my new home give me a small measure of independence since I can crank them open and closed easily. That’s just one small aspect of gratitude that I have for the people associated with Homes for Our Troops and the homes they construct for returning service people in need.”
 
Homes for Our Troops has constructed or remodeled homes nationwide since the non-profit organization began in 2004. Each home is built at no cost to the injured service personnel and is constructed with donated products and manpower. Homes for Our Troops has been recognized by the American Institute of Philanthropy for their excellence as one of only five “Top-Rated Veterans and Military Charities” in the organization’s listings. For more information, visit www.homesforourtroops.com.

Simonton Windows produces ENERGY STAR qualified replacement and new construction windows and doors, including a line of impact-resistant products. For the second year in a row, Simonton ranked “Highest in Builder and Remodeler Satisfaction among Residential Window and Patio Door Manufacturers” in the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Builder and Remodeler Residential Window and Patio Door Satisfaction Study^SM. Simonton was also ranked #1 in quality in the 2009, 2007, 2002 and 1998 Brand Use Studies sponsored by Builder magazine and has won three Best-In-Class Awards from Market Research Associates.

Founded in 1946, Simonton’s hallmark has been to deliver its made-to-order products in five days or less. Part of the home and hardware business of Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE: FO), Simonton delivers award-winning products nationwide to key markets throughout the 48 continental United States. For information, call (800) SIMONTON (1-800-746-6686) or visit www.simonton.com.

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Simonton Windows received the highest numerical score in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2008-2009 Builder and Remodeler Residential Window and Patio Door Satisfaction Studies^SM. 2009 study based on responses from 3,109 builders and remodelers measuring 16 manufacturers. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of builders and remodelers surveyed in April-May 2009. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com

ENERGY STAR is a government program that helps consumers protect the environment through superior energy efficiency and is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.