Pictured: USMC SSgt. Jesse Cottle, his wife Kelly, and their daughters Grace & Isla.

The R.I.S.E. program supports first responders and soldiers who have been wounded in the line of duty by building custom smart homes that have been specifically designed around the accessibility limitations these officers are overcoming. This is the 41st such project home that NWFA has participated in, and Mullican Flooring was very proud to be the key manufacturing sponsor for this important opportunity.

This project home was designed and built for United States Marine Corps Staff Sargeant Jesse Cottle, who was injured in 2009 while serving in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan during his fourth deployment. He and his Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team were on foot patrol clearing improvised explosive devices (IEDs) when one such device detonated under him, resulting in loss of both his legs.

Mullican Flooring donated hundreds of square feet of their hardwood flooring to the R.I.S.E. project to help make this house a home for SSgt. Cottle and his family. Hardwood flooring is a great option for its beauty, longevity, and ease of care that makes every living space a work of art. The flooring donated for the Cottle’s home is from Mullican Flooring’s Wexford Collection unfinished engineered line.

“Jesse Cottle is an American hero,” says Pat Oakley, VP of Sales and Marketing for Mullican Flooring. “The sacrifices he—and the many others—have made on behalf of our country are incredible. It’s so important that we support these heroes and help in any way we can.”

Mullican Flooring is proud of their commitment to keep their manufacturing facilities and operations all based in the United States throughout the company’s 34 years of business. Mullican has believed that part of their industry leadership has been to support the economy and environmental standards here at home.

“When you meet a guy like SSgt. Cottle, you can’t help but be reminded of the sacrifice and conviction our service men and women have given for our country,” explains Mr. Oakley. “Mullican Flooring is inspired by our veterans and first responders and we are glad to have this opportunity to partner with them to show our appreciation.”

To learn more about Mullican Flooring, visit www.mullicanflooring.com.

Photo: USMC SSgt. Jesse Cottle and his wife Kelly touring their new kitchen, custom designed and constructed for accessibility through the Gary Sinise Foundation’s R.I.S.E. program.

Photo: Mullican Flooring was a key sponsor for this project, donating hundreds of square feet of their Wexford Collection unfinished engineered hardwood flooring to make this home beautiful, welcoming, and easy to care for.