PBG donates $665,000 to disabled vets

On Nov. 7, Somers-based Pepsi Bottling Group”™s teamwork with the national Rebuilding Together program led to finished work on adaptive home renovations for a disabled Colorado veteran.

Rebuilding Together calls itself the nation”™s leading nonprofit working to preserve affordable homeownership and revitalize communities. It maintains three offices in New York City and in 16 other cities and has now completed more than $665,000 worth of like repairs for veterans through the fundraising and volunteer efforts of Pepsi Bottling. Pepsi Bottling has been active in all 17 cities.

Purple Heart recipient Joe Estep and his wife Melinda were the beneficiaries of the Colorado effort. Reuters reported Joe Estep served three tours in Iraq and was wounded six times, resulting in brain and hearing damage and the loss of several fingers. Melinda Estep is also a veteran and now a new mother.

Pepsi Bottling Group has not forgotten to heal the heart, as well. The Esteps will be in the crowd for this year”™s Army-Navy game Dec. 12 in Philadelphia, compliments of the company.