House of Heroes Connecticut’s executive director gives back to those who served

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — March is Women’s History Month, and we’re celebrating some of the remarkable women in our state. This week, News 8’s Laura Hutchinson introduces us to Carol May, who is continuing her late husband’s mission to keep more veterans comfortable in their own homes.

It’s about serving those who have served our country, providing basic comfort in their own homes.

“Many of them will tell you, ‘No one has ever thanked me for my service.”

“Think of a veteran who now needs a ramp or a doorway widened because they can’t get into the bathroom because of their wheelchair.”

Home improvement projects have become May’s mission in life. She’s the executive director of House of Heroes Connecticut, located in Hamden, where they help vets statewide with basic home repairs at no cost.

“We have a ceremony at every project, and that’s where we get to tell the veteran’s story,” May told News 8.

This passion project wasn’t always her life’s work. It was that of her late husband Bill, a proud veteran himself.

“He was a 24-year Black Hawk test pilot, and his job was very dangerous. His team would fix the helicopters, and it was his job to take them up and make sure they were really fixed properly.”

He started House of Heroes Connecticut with a friend to give back when he retired until cancer cut his life short.

“The rest of the organization kind of turned to me and said, “What are we going to do?” I’m like, what are we going to do? I said this is Bill’s legacy; this is his passion; this is now my passion; we’re going to continue this because we can’t let this die. We’ve come so far.”

That’s exactly what she did to honor the love of her life. This educator of more than 40 years had a new focus on life.

“You start to realize how short life really is and how important all you do in life means something.”

Setting a goal for herself each year to beat the number of veterans served the year before.

“We’ve done 224 homes now since 2012, and I could tell you 224 remarkable stories,” May said.

She does it for them; she does it for her country, and she does it for him.

“He is my driving force that makes me want to do this,” May said.

It’s what makes her remarkable. Visit House of Heroes Connecticut’s website to see their latest projects as they look to expand, make a donation and find volunteer opportunities.