National home improvement show has Stearns County, Paynesville ties
A.J. Kaufman
Special to the St. Cloud Times
A home improvement show that helps veterans is being helped out by a Stearns County, Minnesota, company.
Armadillo Decking, a manufacturer of eco-friendly and sustainable composite decking, based in Paynesville, Minnesota, recently announced a partnership with the television series, Military Makeover with Montel.
The home improvement show that’s run for several years on Lifetime TV is dedicated to transforming the homes and lives of military families. Hosted by veteran and military community advocate Montel Williams, the series enlists the help of designers, contractors, landscapers, and other industry professionals to provide families with the home improvements they need.
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The show’s executive vice president of programming approached Armadillo to discuss a partnership with the company and help a family of veterans in Charlotte, North Carolina.
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Armadillo says they joined forces with Military Makeover because, as a third-generation family-owned company in business for nearly a half-century, they believe the partnership aligns perfectly with the company’s values and “honoring those who sacrificed for our country.”
The episode the Minnesota-based home improvement business is involved in is about a husband and wife — who both served in the U.S. Marine Corps — and their children. Diagnosed with PTSD, Benjamin Mahaley finds peace in outdoor activities and serves his community as a firefighter with the Charlotte Fire Department.
“We knew immediately that we could help,” Armadillo Vice President of Sales and Marketing Doug DeLuca told the Times. “This project took a lot of preplanning and design. We were faced with some challenges, but partnering with the likes of Lowenoake Landscape Development and Band of Brothers Construction allowed us to make the most of turning the veteran family’s backyard into an oasis.”
Stu Messer, a veteran himself, who started Band of Brothers Construction with his brother and brother-in-law five years ago, assisted with the project. The company is headquartered in Yadkinville, North Carolina.
“Their story resonated with us,” Messer said. “As a fellow Marine, their struggle is very well known to me. Drop five kids in the mix, and it’s a full-on party. We love being able to serve those who served us, and Armadillo made that really easy by supplying all the material we installed on their deck.”
During the project, Armadillo offered several different products to extend the home’s outside living area, including a new deck with a 50-year warranty, Grid Axcents lattice and MasterMark Urban Gardens.
Armadillo donated all outdoor products to the Mahaleys, as a group of about 10 volunteers lent their time and effort. All products used on the show were made in Paynesville.
“It was wonderful to experience the outpouring of love from Montel, the show’s host Art Edmonds, and the entire team of volunteers,” DeLuca, who has more than 30 years of home improvement expertise, said. “The change was dramatic, and tears of joy were shed at the big reveal. The family loves their new outdoor living area, and the kids are excited to grow their new gardens. It was a very rewarding experience to serve those who have so selflessly served us.”
DeLuca says Armadillo and parent company Avon Plastics, which is also headquartered in Paynesville, Minnesota, are looking at future opportunities for the 2025 season.
Mahaley originally was inspired to serve by his uncle, a retired Marine Corps veteran. In 2005, the North Carolinian enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps at age 23 and served with distinction, rising to the rank of Corporal and fulfilling various roles. His 2007-08 deployment to Al Asad, Iraq, exposed him to combat, where he navigated the challenges of securing explosive ordinance disposal teams in high-risk environments.
In recognition of his service, Mahaley was awarded the U.S. Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with a bronze service star, and National Defense Service Medal, among other commendations.
He is married to Melissa Mahaley, a fellow veteran; she joined the Marine Corps as a radio operator when she was 18.
The couple are parents to Easton, 12; Ryder, 11; Lyla, 4; Zoey, 3; and Kira, 1.
The episodes will air as follows:
- Episode 1 – Aug. 23 and 29
- Episode 2 – Aug. 30 and Sept. 5 (the featured segment is set in this episode)
- Episode 3 – Sept. 6 and 12
- Episode 4 – Sept. 13 and 19
- Episode 5 – Sept. 20 and 26
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