Posts Tagged ‘service project’

Stephen Natow Injured in Iraq (Giving back for a second time)

Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010

The Seabees at it again

San Juan Pools Completes Second Therapy Swimming Pool for U.S. Disabled Veteran

LAKELAND, Fla., March 13, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) — In a tangible show of support of our U.S. troops in Iraq, one company stepped up to the plate again with a therapy swimming pool. Steven Natow of Kissimmee, Florida is the second lucky veteran. During San Juan Fiberglass Pools National Dealer Academy Convention and Seminars in February, San Juan and its international dealers pooled their resources to build Steve Natow a $45,000 swimming pool complex in just two days. Now Steven can perform his daily necessary recovery regime from injuries sustained from his service in both the Vietnam and the Iraq wars. Steven Natow who originally served in the Vietnam War was recalled to active duty for the Iraq war to help protect the borders. He returned home with a broken hip and knee injuries.

The humanitarian and patriotic value of the project is an invaluable and symbolic gesture that goes far beyond its monetary value. Spokesman for the 50-year old San Juan Fiberglass Pool Company Keith Van Tilburg said, “It is a good project for a good cause, helping out disabled vets. We want to recognize their sacrifices and to give back just a little in the best way we can. Building pools is what we do best. We have a strong history of a top-quality product and excellent customer service. A project such as this not only shows our commitment to our customers but also San Juan Fiberglass Pools is making a positive contribution to society.”

This is San Juan Pools’ second major project to help a disabled American veteran. San Juan built a fiberglass therapy pool/spa Combo in 2005 for Peter Reid a Navel Seabee engineering core. San Juan Pools subsequently named its team of Dealership volunteer workers for this first project, “THE SAN JUAN SEE BEES” and will continue to use this name in the future.

Both completely donated pool complexes have the in-ground pool and hot tub built by San Juan Pools and the “THE SAN JUAN SEE BEES”. Aquamatic Pool Covers provided a free automatic pool cover for safety, and Endless Pools put in the Fast Lane, a swim current style aquatic exercise swim System. Sun Star Solar and AquaCal Heat Pumps provided water temperature control, and Pentair Products contributed the latest in filtration and automation technology to the project, but that’s not all. Fiberstars Lighting aluminates the swimming pool with their 4 color fiber optic lighting as well enabling Steven Natow the ability to do his aquatic therapy day or night. So there’s a lot of well-wishing support for our veterans from these water-related companies.

More than 60 San Juan Dealers coast to coast and from north to south joined in to work and show support for this special Veteran Project. Some dealers came from as far north as Canada and as far south as Martinique BWI. Because of all the generosity and support, the humanitarian project was completed in just 2 days, February 23 and 24, 2007.

Once again Michael and I are honored to be part of such a wonderful project.  This is the second service project michael and I participated in over the past few years.  We are always looking for Vet’s that have been affected fighting for our country that could use our help.  If you or someone you know has been affected fighting for our country please let us know.  Your yard could be the next stop for the San Juan Seabees.  I can honestly say by looking at the picture above that I have contributed and left a Stamp (no pun intended) on one mans life forever. I anticipate the next experience with open arms and look forward to changing the life of people who serve our country.

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Navy Seabee Peter Reid injured in Iraq.

Monday, March 1st, 2010

Tommie getting the troops together

The San Juan Family had the privilege of building a therapeutic pool and spa combination for Navy Seabee Peter Reid who was severely injured in the Iraq war. In all our years as a company we have never witnessed a group come together and work so unselfishly to make someone else’s life better.

After San Juan Pools’ recent annual dealer conference in Orlando, Fla., 50 participants volunteered their time to help build a fiberglass therapy pool and spa at the home a Navy veteran who had been critically injured in Iraq. Peter Reid, a Navy Seabee of 17 years, was injured in an attack 11 months ago when a mortar hit a compound where some Seabees and Marines were gathered.

The explosion paralyzed Reid’s left side and left him blind in one eye. Upon hearing about his case, San Juan agreed to build its conference demo pool at Reid’s home. The dealers stayed behind after the event to work on the installation, valued at $50,000. The San Juan dealers also collected $5,000 in cash for pool maintenance, which the company matched.

Over twenty San Juan dealerships volunteered their time and expertise to complete the project in addition to raising $10,000.00 that was presented to the Reid family to assist with upkeep and maintenance of their new pool.

Our vendor partners came through with flying colors donating virtually everything to complete the project. The end result was a completed project that we can all be proud of.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who participated:

Mike Neri Performing cantilever deck

Finished Product what a feeling

Mark Peditto and Peter Reid


Jose Aragones
Jean Beaulieu
Roger Benscoter
Marc Campbell
Ron Casso
Jim Erskine
James Evans
Kevin Fox
David Frye
Luke Gulczynski
Dan Howe
Randy Hughes
Ron Jackson
Clancy Kaye
Paul Kennedy
Gary Key
Denise Manka
Tom McCarthy
Mike Neri
Mark Peditto
Geoff Potts
Paul Rodriguez
Kirk Sullivan
Todd Sullivan
Gary Thomas
Ronika Thomas
Harold Tilson
Carl Untch
Steve Wharton

I have to say one thing about this project (awesome).  Kudos for all the women and men who helped make this event one to remember.  After personally meeting Peter I can honestly say I have a greater respect for life itself and for the men and women who serve our country every day.  It was such an honor for Artistic Pools to be a part of such a wonderful opportunity.  Our main part of the project was the installation of the Stamped Concrete Deck around the Therapy Pool.  The Pool had numerous Jets. a wheel chair lift, and multiple therapy stations for Peter to rehabilitate himself.  The project took a total of three days to complete from start to finish.  Again thanks to Peter Reid and San Juan Pools for allowing us the opportunity to serve such a wonderful person.

peter reid service project 038

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