A COMMUNITY MATERIAL CAMPAIGN
Help build a safer foundation for a veteran and her family.
April Hathaway has built her life around service—to her country, her community, and her two children. Now, she is facing the substantial structural repairs needed to make their home safe and stable.
A Solid Foundation connects those who are able to help with the approved materials, supplier credits, and community resources needed to move the project forward.
Materials are reviewed and coordinated by S&S Renovations before purchase or delivery.
“This project is about more than repairing a foundation. It’s about finally giving my children the safety and stability I’ve been working toward. I can’t do every part of it alone, and I’m grateful for every material, connection, and share that helps us move forward.”
— April
Defined Repair Plan | Licensed Contractor | Materials Reviewed & Tracked
A Plan for Moving Forward
April is a United States military veteran and single mother of two who has worked hard to create a safe and stable home for her family. Instead, she has faced serious housing failures involving two VA-backed homes in two different states.
The first property was ultimately condemned, leaving April and her children displaced and creating a financial and legal burden that has followed the family forward. Their current home was supposed to provide the fresh start they needed, but it also revealed significant concerns—including structural problems affecting the basement and an existing addition.
A licensed structural engineer has evaluated the current home, and the repairs needed to stabilize the affected areas have been identified. April has worked with S&S Renovations to develop a defined scope of work and has entered into a construction agreement to move the project forward.
April is committed to doing her part. She has contributed the resources available to her and continues to work, care for her children, and pursue a safer future for her family. What stands between the family and the next stage of repairs is securing the approved construction materials needed to begin.
A Solid Foundation gives those who are able a clear and practical way to stand with this veteran and her family—by providing materials, supplier credits, community connections, or support toward an approved material purchase.
THE PROJECT :
Building the Structural Support This Home Needs
The repairs will address structural concerns affecting the basement and an existing addition. The goal is to stabilize the affected areas, properly support the existing floor system, and create a secure, weather-resistant enclosure beneath the addition.
The project has a defined scope based on the conditions at the property and the recommendations of a licensed structural engineer.
Foundation Preparation
The work will begin with excavation and preparation for a new reinforced foundation system beneath and around the existing addition.
Foundation Construction
The new foundation will provide permanent support for the structural framing and create the base needed to properly enclose the crawlspace.
Basement Backfill and Stabilization
The space between the existing basement wall and the newer concrete masonry wall will be carefully backfilled in controlled layers.
Structural Framing and Support
New structural knee walls will be installed to support the existing floor framing to transfer the weight of the home safely to the new foundation.
Crawlspace Protection
The crawlspace beneath the addition will be insulated and enclosed to help protect the repaired area from weather, moisture exposure, and outside conditions.
Exterior Completion
New siding, corner trim, and related exterior components will be installed around the repaired area to create a finished, weather-resistant enclosure.
Every approved material donated brings April’s family closer to breaking ground. Once the materials needed for the first phase are secured, S&S Renovations can place the project on the schedule and begin building a safer foundation for April and her children.
The repair plan is in place.
Now we need the materials to move it forward.
Organizations Can Help Build the Network Around This Family
Support organizations, community groups, churches, service organizations, and businesses may be able to assist through direct sponsorship, member outreach, referrals, material drives, transportation, or valuable community connections.
Ways that you can help:
Donate a Material
Provide an approved item from the current project list.
Sponsor a Purchase
Purchase approved materials or contribute toward larger material needs.
Make a Connection
Introduce the campaign to a supplier, contractor, veterans’ organization, or community resource.
Share the Campaign
Help April’s story reach someone who may have exactly the material or connection the project needs.
How Donations Work
A Clear Process From Offer to Project
- Choose: Review the tracker and select an available material need.
- Confirm: Contact the campaign so S&S can verify the specifications and current quantity needed.
- Coordinate: Receive purchasing, pickup, or delivery instructions.
- Complete: The material is received, inspected, recorded, and added to the campaign tracker.
Donate Directly to April’s Project
Current Material Needs:
Concrete, Masonry & Foundation Materials
| Material | Required Specification | Quantity Needed | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ready-mix concrete | 5,000 PSI | 3.5 cubic yards | Needed |
| Bagged concrete | 5,000 PSI, 80 lb. bags | 14 bags | Needed |
| Concrete masonry units | 8×8×16 CMU blocks | 84 blocks | Fulfilled |
| Mortar | Type S, 50 lb. bags | 14 bags | Fulfilled |
| Reinforcing steel | #5 rebar | 320 linear feet | Fulfilled |
| Clean fill dirt | Approved clean fill | 20 cubic yards | Needed |
| Structural geogrid | Confirm approved product with S&S | 1 roll | Fulfilled |
Structural Lumber & Engineered Supports
| Material | Required Specification | Quantity Needed | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pressure-treated lumber | 2×8×16 ft. | 10 boards | Needed |
| Pressure-treated posts | 6×6×10 ft. | 2 posts | Needed |
| Framing lumber | 2×6×8 ft. | 36 boards | Needed |
| Framing lumber | 2×4×8 ft. | 40 boards | Needed |
| Framing lumber | 2×4×16 ft. | 15 boards | Needed |
| Engineered LVL beams | 2×12×15 ft. | 4 beams | Needed |
| Plywood sheathing | ½-inch sheets; confirm approved grade with S&S | 4 sheets | Needed |
Anchors, Connectors & Structural Hardware
| Material | Required Specification | Quantity Needed | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| J-bolts | ½×12 in. | 14 | Needed |
| Nuts | ½ in. | 18 | Needed |
| Washers | ½ in. | 18 | Needed |
| Concrete anchors | ½×4 in. | 4 | Needed |
| Post brackets | Simpson 6×6 post brackets; confirm model with S&S | 4 | Needed |
| Structural screws | Simpson 3 in. screws | 5 lb. | Needed |
| Framing nails | 3 in., 21-degree, plastic-collated; 1,000-count boxes | 2 boxes | Needed |
| Door hinges | Confirm size and finish with S&S | 2 | Needed |
| Sill gasket | Confirm approved width with S&S | 2 rolls | Needed |
Insulation, Siding & Weather Protection
| Material | Required Specification | Quantity Needed | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| House wrap/vapor barrier | Confirm approved product with S&S | 1 roll | Needed |
| Button-cap fasteners | For house-wrap installation | 2 lb. | Needed |
| Roofing nails | 1¼ in. | 5 lb. | Needed |
| Vinyl siding | Must match approved profile and project requirements | 14 pieces | Needed |
| Siding corner boards | Confirm dimensions, profile, and color with S&S | 2 | Needed |
| Faced insulation | R-19 | 1 bale | Needed |
This tracker shows the current status of the approved materials needed for April’s project. Please confirm availability with the campaign before purchasing or delivering any material. Quantities and specifications may change as donations are received.
Please contact S&S Renovations before purchasing or delivering any material. All proposed donations must be confirmed to ensure they meet the project requirements and are still needed.
FAQ’s
What is A Solid Foundation?
A Solid Foundation is a community campaign created to help secure the approved construction materials, material credits, and connections needed to complete critical structural repairs to April’s family home.
Can I donate material I already have?
Possibly. Materials must be unused or otherwise suitable for the intended application and must meet the project specifications. Please coordinate with S&S Renovations will review the proposed donation before approving delivery.
Do materials need to be approved before they are purchased or delivered?
Yes. All proposed material donations must be confirmed by S&S Renovations before they are purchased or delivered.
Construction materials must meet specific requirements for size, type, grade, quantity, and condition. Prior approval helps prevent donors from purchasing something that cannot be safely used or credited to the project.
Can I sponsor only part of a material purchase?
Yes. Some project materials are costly or must be purchased together in larger quantities. Partial sponsorships can be combined to help purchase an approved item or material category.
Where should materials be delivered?
Approved donors will receive specific delivery or pickup instructions. Delivery timing must be coordinated so materials can be received, inspected, stored safely, and protected from damage or weather.
Will donors receive acknowledgment?
Yes, unless they prefer to remain anonymous. Participating individuals, businesses, and organizations may be recognized through campaign updates, social media, the campaign webpage, or completion materials.
How can an organization participate?
- Sponsor a material or material category
- Share the campaign with members
- Organize an approved material drive or fundraiser
- Connect the campaign with veteran-owned businesses or suppliers
- Provide an eligible grant or assistance referral
- Help identify additional community resources
Who should I contact with questions?
Campaign Coordinator: Jeweli Snively
Phone: 423-535-0003
Email: jsnively@ssrenovations.org