Navy veteran Terry’s home was transformed, giving him a renewed sense of pride and joy with support from Meals on Wheels People and Team Depot.
Terry, a Meals on Wheels People recipient, served as a torpedoman’s mate in the U.S. Navy, a path inspired by his family’s proud Navy tradition. “I was in a rut in my life,” Terry shares. “My dad had been in the Navy. My grandpa, too.” He joined the Navy, serving on an old World War II submarine, dedicating himself to a challenging role that honed his discipline and courage. After his service, Terry built a career in veterinary surgery and later as a phlebotomist in an outpatient clinic, combining his love for animals and his dedication to helping people. “I could catharize and take blood on itty-bitty animals,” he says. “Human arms were a piece of cake. My patients just loved me because I was so accurate and fast.”
However, as health challenges mounted, Terry’s ability to work diminished, and he found himself needing support. “My health has just been a mess,” he says. “When I stand up, the blood rushes out of my head and down I go. It’s scary. It’s very scary.” After a hospital stay, an occupational therapist suggested he reach out to Meals on Wheels People for support. For nearly two years, Meals on Wheels People volunteers have provided weekly meals and connections to Terry. They deliver more than just nutrition — offering friendship and continuity when he needed it most.
Recently, Terry received a life-changing call from Peg Fuka, a Meals on Wheels People home delivery manager. Through a special partnership with the Home Depot Foundation, Terry had been selected for Operation Surprise, an initiative dedicated to honoring and uplifting veterans with life-changing home transformations. As part of this initiative, a dedicated team led by Geri Downs at South Beaverton Home Depot came together to transform Terry’s outdoor space, honoring his service and enhancing his quality of life. With 15 volunteers, Team Depot not only rebuilt Terry’s deck but also added mulch, a birdbath, and a gnome dressed in Navy attire — thoughtful details that reflected Terry’s legacy of service.
Terry enjoys his new bistro set on the freshly renovated deck. Through a special Operation Surprise project with Meals on Wheels People, Team Depot came together to bring Terry’s outdoor space to life.
When Terry stepped onto his new deck for the first time, tears welled up in his eyes. The fresh boards, carefully mulched flower beds, and brand-new bistro set transformed the space he’d known for years. Out front, a Navy flag waved proudly, a nod to his years of service. This was more than a home improvement project — it was a heartfelt gift that made his home feel like a place of pride and peace once again. “This type of generosity is once in a lifetime,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “It’s probably the greatest gift I’ve ever had.”
“He came out like 10 times to thank us,” Geri recalled. “Seeing him so grateful — it’s an amazing feeling to give back to someone who’s given so much.”
Terry, a Meals on Wheels People participant, recently received an unexpected call from Peg Fuka, MOWP home delivery manager at the Beaverton Center, letting him know he was chosen for a special Operation Surprise project, bringing extra joy and support into his life.
“It’s so hard for me to accept help,” Terry admits, “but I decided: Terry, just step back and let it happen.”
Now, with a beautifully transformed deck, renewed landscaping, and thoughtful touches that reflect his Navy service, Terry has a refreshed place to call home. “I have just been blown away by everybody’s generosity,” he reflects. “I’ve been in this house for 40 years. My yard looks so much better than it did. It just looks phenomenal.”
For Team Depot and Meals on Wheels People, the transformation was more than a project — it was a way to honor Terry’s service and give back to someone who has given so much. This Veterans Day, Meals on Wheels People is proud to celebrate veterans like Terry, whose stories inspire us all. Through Operation Surprise, we’re reminded that a strong community is built by uplifting one another, and together, we can help veterans enjoy a safe, welcoming place to call home.
