PARMA, Ohio — Dillon Rodriguez is a 12-year U.S. Army veteran. His girlfriend, Keslie Honeycutt, still serves our country in the United States Air Force.
The two moved into a home in Parma back in 2021. Then, the problems started: Mold, water, and electrical issues. To make matters worse, the following year, Dillon was seriously injured in a car crash while on duty as a Cleveland police officer.
"My lower spine was actually causing so much issues because the discs were crumbled, and on the outside of the spine instead of the inside of the spine," Dillon said.
That's when volunteers from Third Estimate and the Northeast Ohio Foundation for Patriotism stepped up to help.
"We renovated the roof, the windows, the siding ... we put on new front door. And today we're working on the finishing touches on the home and the landscaping," said Tara Colopy, CEO of Third Estimate Corporation.
The gesture comes at the perfect time. Dillon has been unable to work or fix up his home. He says the experience has been humbling.
"Oh man. It is extremely huge. We were definitely worried about the house and it was definitely one of our stressors," Dillon said.
Tara says the mission meant so much to her team.
"It's important that our team feels part of something this big. It feels good to give back not only to two deserving individuals, but to the city of Parma. This is beautiful," she said.
Dillon says this gift has inspired he and Keslie to give back one day, especially to other veterans.
"The gratitude and just how grateful we both are. Yeah. I don't think there's words out there for it," he said.
