Teen’s charity work comes full circle to help veteran dad

A Penn-Kidder student wanted to help a charity for veterans after her brother joined the Army.

She had no idea that it would eventually help her own family in a time of need.

“I didn’t think it would ever help us, I just thought I was helping other people. It was a nice reward for it,” said 14-year-old Lindsay Martin said.

Last week, employees from the Home Depot descended upon the Albrightsville home shared by Lindsay and her father, Patrick, a disabled veteran. They put on a new roof, new deck, painted the walls, and that was just the beginning.

“I still can’t believe it. Everything was old, and they made it all new again, and it’s amazing,” Patrick Martin said.

It would not have been possible without Pennsylvania Wounded Warriors Inc. The organization helps veterans across the state who are facing hardships.

Before they were receiving aid from Pennsylvania Wounded Warriors, Lindsay started volunteering for the organization. She found the organization after her brother, also named Patrick, joined the Army.

Helping Wounded Warriors reminded her of her brother. And her dad kept young Patrick updated on his sister’s progress.

“I have always idolized him,” Lindsay said of her brother. “Anything he did, I did, even his friends, I’d steal them.”

She coordinated a dress-down day at school. She collected money from local businesses, and appeared on behalf of the Wounded Warriors at public events.

“She continues to raise money for us, and raise awareness of who we are,” said Helen Sajer, founder of PAWW. “She has become one of our ambassadors.”

Shortly after Lindsay started volunteering, her father fell upon hard times. He dislocated his spine in a fall. His wife left a few months later. With no income at the time, they were in danger of losing their home. Wounded Warriors stepped in, making the mortgage payment. It saved them from foreclosure.

“Ms. Sajer said — we can help you too, because you’re a veteran,” Patrick Martin recalled.

Families like the Martins are what Pennsylvania Wounded Warriors are all about. Sajer started the organization with her late husband, Maj. Gen. Gerald T. Sajer, who commanded the Pennsylvania National Guard. The goal was to help veterans financially, and perhaps prevent some of the suicides that tragically take so many veterans each year.

Over the years, aided mostly by veterans themselves, they’ve helped more than 7,500 other vets.

“If a military family doesn’t help another military family, then can you expect civilians to?”

Patrick Martin is proud to talk about the organization and how it’s helped him. So this winter, when a pipe burst in his basement, ruining the insulation, he contacted Sajer, and she was ready to help.

“I said ‘what is your nearest Home Depot?’ Tell them you are in contact with Pennsylvania Wounded Warriors, and we can help pay for the workers.”

Patrick contacted Home Depot in Monroe County, which sent their contractors to the house. While they were checking out the issues in the basement, they noticed that Patrick could use some energy efficient appliances, flooring and even a roof. Patrick couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

We went outside and he said, “put a roof on, if we’re gonna do it let’s do it right,’” he recalled.

Last week, the workers showed up to complete the work. First, a crew of four workers showed up. Then another four. Soon they had to park cars in a neighbor’s driveway. In all, 21 cars showed up. All Home Depot employees who were volunteering their time.

“On their day off, all these employees donated their time,” he said. “There were tears in my eyes, I was crying.”

Patrick said he’s so impressed with the work he’s reluctant to hang up family photos on the newly painted walls. Lindsay said she’s happy for her dad. While he wouldn’t tell other people, he has wanted to update the house for a while, she said.

Lindsay’s community involvement continues to grow. She has also gotten involved in local politics. She worked on behalf of state Rep. Doyle Heffley, Register of Wills Jean Papay, and even President Donald Trump’s campaign, making thousands of phone calls.

Oftentimes, the people on the other end of the line have no idea the person calling them is still in junior high school. And she still makes appearances on behalf of Pennsylvania Wounded Warriors.

“It’s just a good feeling that I can help other people, that I can do something for them,” she said.