NARI Cares! 

“Operation Soldier Assist”

102 Kansas City and Clinton, Mo. Organizations Donated
Goods, Services and Labor
to Renovate Home of U.S. Soldier in Lowry City

MERRIAM, KAN. (Sept. 22, 2007) – The Kansas City, Lowry City and Clinton communities came together the weekends of Sept. 8-9 and 15-16 to make much-needed repairs to the home of a member of the Missouri National Guard who was severely injured in 2003 while serving in Iraq.

One-hundred-two area companies and organizations donated $170,915 worth of goods, services and labor to Sgt. George Bellis, his wife, Tricia, and their three children, Canaan, 12, Hunter, 9, and Grace, 4 who live in Lowry City, MO.

Called “Operation Soldier Assist,” this humanitarian effort was a community service project of Kansas City NARI (National Association of the Remodeling Industry), in cooperation with the Greater Kansas City Chapter of the Association of the United States Army (KCAUSA).

Volunteers included 50 members of Kansas City NARI and dozens of KCAUSA volunteers, including soldiers from the Missouri National Guard and the U.S. Army Recruiting Command.  Kansas City NARI member Nebraska Furniture Mart provided all new appliances.  NARI National/Kansas City NARI member Home Depot provided a $10,000 grant of Home Depot gift cards to the project.  Lowry City and Clinton-area church groups and civic organizations cooked and delivered meals during the event.

“Operation Soldier Assist is an amazing example of how not one, but two, communities can come together to lift up a family in their time of need,” said KCAUSA Chapter President Mike Neer. “It is our intent that this humanitarian effort serves as an example to other communities and inspires them to help a Soldier and his family who have participated in securing our Nation.”

Improvements to the home included converting the garage into comfortable living space, upgrading the kitchen, improving and repairing two bathrooms, replacing the deck and patio door, repairing or replacing windows, repairing flooring transitions between rooms, and upgrading electrical service.

“To see so many people come together as a community to bring joy to the Bellis family was very rewarding,” said Scott Balentine, CR, CLC, Kansas City NARI’s project manager for “Operation Soldier Assist,” Kansas City NARI board chair, and owner of Lifestyles Custom Homes & Remodeling, Inc.

During the course of his deployment in Iraq in 2003-2004 for the Missouri National Guard, Bellis was involved in multiple incidents and accidents in which he suffered severe concussions and head injuries. Upon his return home, he was diagnosed with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and was medically discharged from the Missouri National Guard due to the extent of his injuries. Because of Sgt. Bellis’ condition, his wife terminated her employment to care for George and their three children.

Kansas City NARI is a professional non-profit trade association representing more than 290 professional remodeling experts, including contractors, manufacturers, distributors and wholesalers and lenders. NARI members must complete an extensive application process, be in business for at least one year and follow the organization’s code of ethics. NARI is committed exclusively to serving the professional remodeling industry and to serving as an ally to homeowners. The national association represents more than 7,000 members nationwide and is the only independent national association dedicated solely to the remodeling industry. NARI's focus is on professional conduct, continuing education and training, and fair and ethical treatment within the industry. For more information, visit www.remodelingkc.com.

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