A home improvement show that helps veterans is being supported by a company based in Stearns County, Minnesota.
Armadillo Decking, an environmentally friendly and sustainable composite decking manufacturer based in Paynesville, Minnesota, recently announced a partnership with the television series “Military Makeover with Montel.”
The home improvement show, which has been running on Lifetime TV for several years, is dedicated to transforming the homes and lives of military families. Hosted by veteran and military representative Montel Williams, the series enlists the help of designers, contractors, landscapers and other industry experts to help families get the home improvements they need.
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The show’s assistant program director reached out to Armadillo to discuss partnering with the company to help a veteran family in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Armadillo explains that they have partnered with Military Makeover because, as a third-generation family business that has been in existence for nearly half a century, they believe the partnership aligns perfectly with the company’s values and “honors those who have sacrificed for our country.”
The episode, which involves the Minnesota-based home improvement company, follows a married couple – both of whom served in the U.S. Marine Corps – and their children. Benjamin Mahaley, diagnosed with PTSD, finds peace in outdoor activities and serving his community as a firefighter with the Charlotte Fire Department.
“We knew immediately we could help,” Doug DeLuca, vice president of sales and marketing for Armadillo, told the Times. “This project required a lot of pre-planning and design. We faced some challenges, but by working with companies like Lowenoake Landscape Development and Band of Brothers Construction, we were able to best transform the veteran’s family’s backyard into an oasis.”
Stu Messer, himself a veteran who founded Band of Brothers Construction with his brother and brother-in-law five years ago, helped with the project. The company is headquartered in Yadkinville, North Carolina.
“Their story touched us,” Messer said. “As a fellow Marine, I know their struggle very well. When five kids come along, it’s a real party. We love being able to help those who have served us, and Armadillo made that really easy for us by supplying all the equipment we installed on their deck.”
During the project, Armadillo offered several products to expand the home’s outdoor living area, including a new deck with a 50-year warranty, Grid Axcents lattices, and MasterMark Urban Gardens.
Armadillo donated all outdoor products to the Mahaleys, a group of about 10 volunteers donated their time and effort. All products used in the show were made in Paynesville.
“It was wonderful to witness the outpouring of love from Montel, the show’s host, Art Edmonds, and the entire team of volunteers,” said DeLuca, who has more than 30 years of experience in the home improvement industry. “The transformation was dramatic and there were tears of joy at the big reveal. The family loves their new outdoor living space and the kids are excited to plant their new gardens. It was a very rewarding experience to help those who helped us so selflessly.”
DeLuca says Armadillo and parent company Avon Plastics, which is also headquartered in Paynesville, Minnesota, are exploring future options for the 2025 season.
Mahaley was originally inspired to join the military by his uncle, a retired Marine veteran. In 2005, the North Carolina native joined the U.S. Marine Corps at age 23 and served with distinction, rising to the rank of corporal and performing a variety of assignments. He saw combat during his deployment to Al Asad, Iraq, in 2007-08, where he met the challenges of securing explosive ordnance disposal teams in high-risk environments.
In recognition of his service, Mahaley was awarded the U.S. Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal with a Bronze Service Star, and the National Defense Service Medal, among others.
He is married to Melissa Mahaley, also a Marine Corps veteran; she joined the Marine Corps at age 18 as a radio operator.
The couple has children Easton (12), Ryder (11), Lyla (4), Zoey (3) and Kira (1).
The episodes will be broadcast as follows:
- Episode 1 – 23 and 29 August
- Episode 2 – August 30 and September 5 (the featured segment takes place in this episode)
- Episode 3 – 6 and 12 September
- Episode 4 – 13 and 19 September
- Episode 5 – 20 and 26 September
