Behind every Team Depot transformation there is a Team Depot Captain – an individual willing to do whatever it takes to pull off an impactful Team Depot project. Captains are the kinds of people who go above and beyond and don’t ask for a single thing in return. Need to get up at 5 a.m. to drive a couple hundred miles to the project site? No problem. Decide to completely renovate an injured veteran’s backyard without him knowing? Easy. We’ll figure out how to roll up our sleeves while keeping it a secret. For Team Depot Captain and Store Manager Nathan Mathews, it was the latter. During a project for Cpt. Jae Barclay, an honored veteran injured by an explosion in Afghanistan, Nathan teamed up with Jae’s wife, Sierra, to pull off a complete backyard makeover… in secrecy. The surprise renovation and reveal took weeks of planning and some sneakiness from Sierra, but Nathan pulled off all of the logistics and remodeling in record time. See how it all went down:
The first day of the secret transformation is underway. Jae is away on business, and there’s a lot to get done in the next couple of days.
The team is building custom storage units, replacing light fixtures and creating awork bench for Jae. Most of Nathan’s work today is focused on this space.
Trees are trimmed and the yard is cleaned up to prepare for the total yard transformation that get started in the morning.
Work starts early and more volunteers are on site today to get their hands dirty in the yard.
The team’s backyard renovation is designed to meet Jae’s needs based on his injury, and this hot tub will help with his joint pain. It takes eight people to get the 500 pound hot tub onto dollies and around the house.
The entire backyard fence is being redone in record time.
Every Captain has his or her own way of keeping the team energized, but The Home Depot cheer is a favorite tradition across the country.
This custom cornhole arrived to Jae’s backyard with love from The Home Depot Foundation’s nonprofit partner, Semper Fi Fund, and military spouses living on a base.
Jae will be back from his business trip in the next few hours. All hands on deck for the final push to make sure the renovation is complete before the surprise reveal.
From a custom cornhole set and family-built birdhouse to a handmade Jenga game set built by the associates at Nathan’s store, the new backyard is full of special touches.
After the work is done and the supplies are packed back up in the truck, the Team Depot Captain’s journey with the family is just beginning. Time and time again, Team Depot projects start long-lasting friendships between families, Team Depot Captains and volunteers as they get to hear about the family enjoying their new space.
