Students, Contractors Volunteer to Help Marine Family

Sean Sheppard, founder of Embrace — a nonprofit organization that facilitates  students volunteerism in communities with housing needs — motivated two volunteers who helped renovate a wounded Marine’s Oceanside home Saturday.

“The more you give … the more comes back to you, (but) that’s not why you do it,” he said.

They were part of some 75 San Diego State University Students and area contractors who volunteered to renovate a wounded Marine’s home Saturday. Sgt. Jason Swofford was injured from an Afghan bomb during a past deployment and lost range of motion in his right arm.

In addition to installing new windows, fixing the landscaping and renovating the bathrooms, contractors moved high cupboards lower, where he could easily reach them.

Swofford shares the home with his wife, Alissa and his two-year-old son Logan.

“It’s amazing. I can’t believe so many people can give up their Saturday to help my family out,” he said, adding, that after spending so much time in combat zones, he had seen a lot of the negatives humans have to offer. “It’s really restored some of my hope and faith in humanity.”

The project would have been impossible without a $10,000 grant from the Leightag Foundation, Sheppard said, adding that he is still seeking donors.