Giving Back to Our Wounded Warriors

Honored to be part of Jared Allen’s Homes for Wounded Warriors very first “from the ground up build” project, J. Becher & Associates’ Electricians and Low Voltage Technicians volunteered on this special project to provide a fully accessible home in Minnetrista, MN for Marine Sgt. Colin Faust who suffered injuries from an improvised explosive device while serving in Afghanistan. 


Along with dozens of building trades’ members including Carpenters, Floor Coverers, Cement Masons, Tile Setters, Brick Layers, Electricians, and Insulators, as well as other community volunteers, J. Becher & Associates worked on the new two-story home to make the amenities accessible for Faust. Among other features, his new open floor plan home has electrical switches at reachable levels, security system, a therapeutic bath on the main floor, and an elevator leading to the walkout basement. J. Becher & Assoc. also provided low voltage wiring, installation, and products: 

  • Central Vacuum Rough In
  • Security System with GE Concord Security Panel Controlled with Alarm.com
  • Security Monitoring
  • 6 Rooms of Audio powered by Sonos Connect Amps
  • Structured Wiring Throughout House
  • 7-Channel Home Theater in Lower Level
  • Outdoor Deck Speakers

Nearly 40 apprentices, journeymen and retirees of Local 292 volunteered to wire the home.

NFL Star Jared Allen Established Homes for Wounded Warriors

Allen, who played for the Minnesota Vikings, Kansas City Chiefs, and Chicago Bears, established Homes for Wounded Warriors after touring U.S. military bases in the Middle East in 2009 and developing a deeper understanding of what life can be like for injured troops returning home.

“They weren’t necessarily getting their needs met,” Allen told www.chicagonow.com in a November interview. “I came up with the idea of building homes or retrofitting them for their needs. The reaction has been great. We have been able to get some great partners and we continue to grow each year, which allows us to build more homes. The work takes place all over the country. We just help where there is a need.”

Excerpt from Carl Madsen, Hiring Hall Administrator and Market Recovery Director, IBEW Local 292

“For soldiers coming back from conflicts overseas, readjusting to civilian life is often difficult. It’s even harder for those returning with serious injuries. These service members come back and don’t really have many people who they can share their experiences with,” said Carl Madsen, who is the administrator for the hiring hall and director of the local’s market recovery program. “It’s important to have a group of people to talk to, and to help get them what they need. And that includes appropriate housing.”

J. Becher & Assoc. Part of the Collaborative Effort 

Madsen said the project was a collaborative effort between the membership, signatory contractor J. Becher & Associates, the Minneapolis NECA chapter, the area’s labor/management committee and the Electrical Workers Minority Caucus. Madsen and members of the Local are helping to be a part of the solution.

The construction for Faust’s home marked the first time Allen’s organization had worked with building trades volunteers. “We started with the carpenters union, and it grew from there,” said Alex Karalexis, project manager for Homes for Wounded Warriors. “Building the house for Sgt. Faust has been an amazing effort. Without the support from Carl Madsen and the other IBEW volunteers, Colin would not be getting this quality of home. Not only did the IBEW and the contractor step up with labor for the electric and data installation, but they also picked up the tab for the materials. It was just unbelievable.”

“You guys were such a big part of this project and we are very grateful. On behalf of Jared Allen and everyone here at the foundation, we would like to thank you for teaming up with us on the Sgt Colin Faust project. These homes are only possible through your generous support and participation.”

– Alex Karalexis, Project Manager, Jared Allen’s Homes for Wounded Warriors

J. Becher & Assoc. is committed to continuing to provide security monitoring at no cost and giving back to a soldier who sacrificed so much for his country.

Read More About This Special Project At:

ABC article: Jared Allen’s Homes for Wounded Warriors
Official website: Homes for Wounded Warriors
Groundbreaking: Homes for Wounded Warriors June 12, 2014
Jared Allen’s Homes For Wounded Warriors Facebook: Photos
J. Becher & Associates Facebook: Project Photos
Kare 11: Jared Allen Breaks Ground on Wounded Warrior Home 

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