Former Army Medic Receives Keys to Home as Bank of America Celebrates 2,000 Property Donations to Nonprofits Serving Military Veterans and Their Families
Bank Has Doubled Original Commitment of 1,000 Homes
GREECE, N.Y.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Retired U.S. Army Sergeant and medic Seth Musikant received keys to a
renovated mortgage-free home in this Rochester suburb today, becoming
the latest recipient of a home donated by Bank of America through the
Military Warriors Support Foundation (MWSF).
Today’s ceremony represents the 2,000th home Bank of America
has donated to recipients who have served in the military, which is more
than any other bank. Bank of America also doubled its original goal to
donate 1,000 properties through nonprofit organizations for veterans and
their families who have housing needs.
“Our property donation program has been one of the most unique ways we
have assisted and thanked those who have served in the military and
sacrificed for our country,” said Larry Washington, Strategic Portfolio
Management executive for Bank of America. “The team at Bank of America
is committed both to revitalizing communities and helping U.S. veterans
return to civilian life.”
“Housing is a key component in our mission to provide support for our
nation’s combat-wounded heroes and Gold Star families as they transition
out of the military and into civilian life,” said Casey Kinser, vice
president of programs for MWSF. “Bank of America’s generous donations of
properties help us carry out our mission and honor our nation’s heroes.”
Musikant entered the army in 2004 at age 19 with the specific intent to
become a combat medic and “help get soldiers home safe to their families
during deployments.” He served two tours of duty, first in Baghdad, Iraq
from 2005 through 2006 and later in Kirkuk, Iraq from 2007 through 2008.
During each deployment, he was injured by detonations of improvised
explosive devices, suffering traumatic brain damage and other injuries.
His injuries and combat zone experiences resulted in post-traumatic
stress disorder, and today, he is recovering with care and support. In
addition to the Purple Heart, he counts the Army Commendation Medal for
Valor among his military awards.
Musikant is engaged to Sarah Taylor, and the couple will relocate to the
Rochester area from Antwerp, N.Y., where their family lives. Since
leaving the army, Musikant has earned a master’s degree in health
administration and hopes to use his degree in a local health facility
after relocating. Taylor plans to attend a nearby university to complete
her degree.
Veterans in 48 states have received keys to refurbished homes through
Bank of America’s property donation program. Military Warriors Support
Foundation, USA Homeownership, Green Extreme Homes, Purple Heart Homes
and Nehemiah Reinvestment Coalition are among the organizations
partnering with the bank. Properties are donated to the nonprofits,
which identify the home recipients and provide related services, such as
financial counseling.
Across all of the company’s community revitalization programs, Bank of
America has donated more than 5,800 homes and properties to nonprofits,
land banks and municipalities since 2012.
Bank of America has supported the U.S. military with banking services
for more than 90 years, and currently serves more than 2 million active
and veteran military customer households. The company is committed to
helping veterans while on active duty, and as they transition back to
civilian life, including the goal to hire 10,000 veterans and Guard and
Reservists during the next few years. Bank of America also supports the
military community nationwide through philanthropic contributions to
military-focused nonprofits and volunteering. The bank has provided more
than $17 million in financial support to military nonprofits since 2009,
and company employees volunteered more than 55,000 hours at military
events last year.
Military Warriors Support Foundation
MWSF is a 501(c)3 non-profit,
founded by retired Army Lt. Gen. Leroy Sisco in 2007. MWSF’s Mission is
to provide support for our nation’s combat wounded heroes and Gold Star
families as they transition out of the military and into civilian life.
Their programs focus on housing and homeownership, employment, as well
as recreational activities and travel assistance. For more information
on MWSF and all of their programs, please visit www.MilitaryWarriors.org.
Bank of America
Bank of America is one of the world’s leading
financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and
middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of
banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk
management products and services. The company provides unmatched
convenience in the United States, serving approximately 47 million
consumer and small business relationships with approximately 4,700
retail financial centers, approximately 16,000 ATMs, and award-winning
online banking with approximately 33 million active accounts and more
than 20 million mobile active users. Bank of America is a global leader
in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading
across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations,
governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of
America offers industry-leading support to approximately 3 million small
business owners through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online
products and services. The company serves clients through operations in
all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto
Rico and more than 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock
(NYSE:BAC) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
Visit the Bank of America newsroom for more Bank
of America news.
Contacts
Reporters May Contact:
Jumana Bauwens, Bank of America,
1.800.796.8448
pressroom@bankofamerica.com
