CHULA VISTA, Calif. — Ramon Iniguez served in the Army for seven years. In 2017, he went through a health challenge after receiving a diagnosis.
“I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, so I went through treatment. It lasted about two and a half years and thank goodness now I'm in remission,” Iniguez said.
Multiple Myeloma is a type of cancer of the plasma cells in the bone marrow. Iniguez received a transplant in 2018 and is now recovering.
“It's been a long road but you know thanks to my good friends, my family...I've been able to get by pretty good,” Iniguez said.
Volunteers from the Home Depot Foundation and 365 Connect spent two days renovating a Army Veteran’s backyard. 365 Connect is an organization that works with local corporations to help with critical needs in the community. Iniguez was referred by the Armed Services YMCA San Diego, he was the ideal candidate to receive the help by volunteers for this project.
“We are heavily embedded in the veterans space because we believe that we have a responsibility to give back to all the veterans who served for us,” 365 Connect, CEO Teresa Miller said.
The goal for this project was to make the outdoor area low maintenance, a backyard Iniguez can enjoy.
“In the past, hasn't been able to come out here to his backyard and do that since it was so overgrown but now he's gonna be able to do that …we're gonna give him that opportunity,” The Home Depot Volunteer and Assistant Store Manager Tracy Luna said.
Iniguez also got a new patio set with shade and barbecue grill, he explains how this act of service is something he can put into words.
“I don't even know how to thank them honestly," Iniguez said. "I don't you know... all I know is that I'm going to enjoy this …I'm going to enjoy come back here, sit down have a barbecue invite friends and family."
Iniguez tells CBS 8 he’s excited he will have fruit trees and a shaded area in his backyard following the makeover.
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