Cape Coral and Southwest Florida Feature Stories

PFC Corey Kent served his country and sacrificed more than most of us ever will.

Now he’s coming home to Cape Coral, and he needs the help of his hometown and local business leaders.

Luckily, a Southwest Florida based nonprofit organization, US Forces Fund, is attempting to rally the community and grant Kent the triumphant and appreciative homecoming he deserves by welcoming him home with a brand new private addition on the family house -- but they need your help.

Kent, a Mariner High School graduate from Cape Coral, lost both of his legs and some of his fingers in an IED explosion while serving our country in Afghanistan.

Kent has been recovering at at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington D.C., and is expected to return to Southwest Florida before the end of the year.

“Corey has given so much to this country and community.  The very least we as a nation and a community can do is provide this young man some level of comfort and support for all that he has provided us,” says Todd Gates of GATES Construction.  “The idea is to give Corey a sense of independence, while living with his family.  The addition will include all ADA materials, equipment and layouts to help this young man get on with his life. However, we as a community need to all come together and make this happen”

GATES has generously teamed up with US Forces Fund and donated the coordination of the design, the construction management and the completion of the addition  -- but they still need approximately $75,000 in materials, labor and cash donations to finish the project in advance of Kent’s return.

Kent’s family is touched by the initiative.

"It's humbling to see the community rally around our boy," says Dan Ashby, Corey's stepfather. "This means the world to us, most especially Corey, who will now have his own place to live right by our side."

For more information, or to make a donation, call the US Forces Fund at 239-248-7815

or visit their website at: http://www.usforcesfund.com/

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