Here at Downspout, we believe that giving back to the community happens in many ways—like through our “Wash for Wounded Vets” program that helps veterans in need. While our services help clean the environment around us, we wanted to take things one step further.
Growing up, I’ve always had a deep appreciation for our military veterans. My great-grandfather was a pilot in WWII, and several of my friends have served or are currently serving in the armed forces. Whenever there’s an opportunity to show my gratitude for our military, I take it. So, when I started Downspout, it was only a matter of time before we found a meaningful way to give back.
The idea of washing a home for a wounded veteran or a veteran in need came to me after meeting Paul, a Vietnam veteran whose resilience and kindness left a lasting impression on me. It happened on a day when, to be honest, I was just trying to survive the day myself. The year had started off busy, and jobs were pouring in faster than we could handle. Often, we ran crews during the day and another late into the evening, sometimes even into the night.
On one of those long days, I found myself working solo late into the night. The sun had set, and the last bits of light were fading from the spring sky. It was that kind of night where a sweatshirt felt just right, but shorts were still comfortable. I was determined to finish this one particular job—a simple ranch home with vinyl siding—to stay on schedule.
I started up the soft wash pump and began rinsing down the home, working from the gutters down to the foundation. Things were going smoothly until the water stopped flowing. Running back, I realized I’d run out of gas. After refilling the tank, I got back to work, only for the pressure to weaken again. This time, the pump had sprung a leak. Frustrated and exhausted, I considered calling it a night, but I knew I had to finish cleaning the gutters and wrap up the house.
While fixing the pump, I noticed an elderly man standing on the other side of a stone wall that bordered the property. He was wearing a Vietnam Navy hat with his ship’s insignia, silently watching me work. I shut down the pump and walked over to him. We started talking—he shared stories of his time in the service, his kids, and how his wife had recently moved into an intensive care facility for Alzheimer’s. He himself was dealing with Parkinson’s and struggling to maintain the property. When he asked for a quote, I couldn’t bring myself to charge him. I told Paul that this one was on the house.
The rest of the night didn’t get any easier—clogged gutters, more equipment problems, and finishing around 9:00 PM, only to be back at it the next morning at 7:00 AM. But as I worked, I felt a renewed sense of purpose, knowing we’d be helping someone who truly deserved it. That night sparked the creation of our “Wash for Wounded Vets” program, where we provide free house washing services to veterans in need.
In 2025, our goal is to wash one veteran’s home every month and raise awareness about the challenges veterans face after their service, reinforcing our commitment to giving back and supporting those who have served our country.
If you know a veteran in need, we’d love to hear from you. Please reach out to zach@downspoutservices.com or call our office at 401-246-7709 to nominate a veteran for our program.
