What does the worst day of your life look like? For Spectrum Brands employee, Tracy Goldsmith, it was the day she found out her brother-in-law Joe had been injured in Afghanistan. Tracy, an Ecommerce national account manager for HPC, was recently reminded of that day, and the hope and joy that followed.
Tracy was reading a recent article on Spectrum Brands’ intranet about how Kwikset supports the Building Homes for Heroes program, and one of the photos stood out. It happened to be a picture of her sister Lisa and brother-in-law Joe touring their new home that was under construction. She quickly took a picture of the photo on her screen and sent it to her family. She then reflected on what it meant to work for a company that supported not only an organization like Building Homes for Heroes, but one that supported her family.
Master Sergeant Joseph Deslauriers had spoken to his pregnant wife Lisa two days earlier, so she was very surprised when the principal of her elementary school walked into her classroom and asked her to come with him. When she arrived in the office, she found military officers and assumed the worst. She quickly found out Joe was alive, but badly injured. A flurry of activity followed. Joe was transferred from Afghanistan to Germany, then to Walter Reed. His rehabilitation would take more than two years. And during that time, Joe and Lisa decided to sell their home in Destin, Florida knowing it wouldn’t be accessible for Joe and his wheelchair. Lisa left her teaching job to care for Joe and their infant son. But hope was around the corner.
They found out about Building Homes for Heroes (BHH), and applied to have a mortgage-free, and accessible home built for their family. When word arrived that they had been chosen by BHH, they were elated! This would be a new lease on life for Joe and his family.
Kwikset provides electronic locks and door hardware for the homes built by BHH, free of charge. To date, all homes constructed or modified since the relationship began are completely outfitted with Kwikset locks and hardware. The vast majority of the locks are electronic connected locks.
Tracy said that Joe and Lisa’s new home has made a world of difference for them. The Kwikset locks and door hardware make it easy for Joe to access all parts of the house, including the office where he works after starting his own business. As mentioned in the previous article, locks and door handles have an outsized impact on the quality of life of these deserving homeowners.
Today, Joe and Lisa are still involved with BHH, talking with, and helping families who are facing the same challenges they did. Joe has a successful business, Lisa volunteers at the local elementary school, and they spend most of their time keeping up with their two kids. And they couldn’t be happier. And today, Joe calls the day he was injured nine years ago his “Alive Day.” The day his life started again. And Tracy couldn’t be more grateful to Kwikset and Spectrum Brands.
Tracy feels like she was meant to be at Spectrum Brands. She, like so many employees, started with Spectrum Brands working from home. But it hasn’t slowed her down. “Everyone has been so friendly, welcoming, and helpful, and they make me better. It’s the best culture I’ve ever experienced. I was proud before to work for this company but today I’m even more proud and grateful.”
The locks and hardware donated to BHH are tailored to the needs of veterans. For example, some veterans have difficulty with fine motor skills due to injuries sustained in war. The solution is to provide Kwikset locks with larger or digital buttons, voice assistance or lever door handles versus round ones. Master Sergeant Joseph Deslauriers, an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) specialist injured in Afghanistan explained, “As a triple amputee, I am in my wheelchair the majority of the time,” Think about how difficult it is for the average person who’s carrying a briefcase, maybe a cup of coffee, a laptop, and trying to get to your key. It would be even more difficult for me, since I’ve only got one hand, and I use it to drive my chair. With the Kwikset lock’s keyless entry, I don’t have to worry about dropping anything.”
These products, also available to the general public, have made all the difference for many disabled veterans by discovering and addressing unmet consumer needs through unique product innovation. To date, Kwikset has outfitted more than 60 homes for veterans through hardware donations.
“Kwikset is proud to support the outstanding work that BHH does every day” said Erik Glassen, Senior Brand Manager, Kwikset. “Our door hardware provides practical solutions for our veterans and we are honored to be able to help those who have sacrificed so much.”
Spectrum Brands Careers Blog 
June 16, 2021
Career Advice