Village Farms Fresh recently partnered with home improvement series “Military Makeover,” hosted by Montel Williams. The company is featured in Episode 2 of Season 36 that airs on Lifetime TV beginning Nov. 17. Decorated U.S. Army veteran Carlos Colón-Ruiz, who resides in Arlington, Texas, along with his family, receives a complete home remodel during the series, according to a news release.
“Village Farms Fresh is honored to partner with ‘Military Makeover’ on this series in support of Infantry Sergeant Colón-Ruiz, an outstanding veteran and exemplary human being. Our company has deep roots in Texas, with a team that was profoundly inspired to help with this veteran’s surprise home renovation,” Micheal DeGiglio, president and CEO of Village Farms International, said in the release.
DeGiglio, a veteran himself, served in the U.S. Navy as an officer and jet aviator, as well as in the Naval Air Reserves. He retired at the rank of captain.
During Colón-Ruiz’s military career he was deployed to Afghanistan, where he suffered serious injuries in the line duty. He was awarded the Purple Heart by then-President George W. Bush and received an Infantry Badge and Army Commendations Medal.
“It was an absolute pleasure working with Michael and his entire team at Village Farms Fresh. Their support of our show helps us provide these life changing makeovers for our deserving veterans and we’re grateful to have had them on Military Makeover,” Scott Moss, president and executive vice president of programming for “Military Makeover” and BrandStar Entertainment, said in the release.
A group of Village Farms Fresh employees from the Dallas-Fort Worth area, where the company has a distribution center, volunteered their weekend to help in the renovation of the veteran’s home. The company has a history of giving back to communities in Texas and feels a strong affinity to helping veterans, the release said.
A retired veteran and Village Farms Fresh employee was among the volunteers.
“The military taught me a work ethic and a need for a sense of mission completion,” Brandon Jamison, director of quality assurance for Village Farms Fresh and an Army veteran who served in Iraq, said in the release. “Village Farms Fresh giving back to those that are deserving and have made sacrifices for our country is something I am proud to be a part of.”
The afternoon of volunteer work concluded with a Texas-style barbecue in the backyard of the veteran’s home. Prepared by a local chef, the meal featured local produce grown at the company’s environmentally friendly Texas greenhouses, the release said.
The company gifted the family hand-picked items for their new kitchen including a basket of Village Farms produce along with culinary accompaniments, the release said.
“It was a joyful afternoon full of grit and fun. I am proud the company championed this valuable effort to help a well deserving veteran who gave to his country so selflessly,” Taylor DeLeon, quality control and sales administrator for the company and a volunteer, said in the release.
Related link: View the episode
