Local Biz Owner Donates to Help Build Home for Disabled Vet

Army Specialist Brendan Marrocco, 24, lost all four limbs after his vehicle struck a roadside bomb last year in Iraq. The Staten Island native has endured 17 surgeries after that tragic incident, and is currently recuperating at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. while he awaits an arm transplant. Marrocco needs a handicapped-accessible home, and one local businessman wanted to help.

Bob Jesberger, owner of in Rockville Centre, donated $10,000 to Building Homes for Heroes — a Long Island-based non profit organization that raises money to build homes for extremely wounded and disabled veterans — yesterday, with Brendan's father Alex and Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano on hand for the check presentation.

"To see this young man like this, without the support of the needed essentials...it drove home to me," Jesberger said of why he donated the money. "It really bothered me."

Brendan's father, Alex, represented his son at the check presentation, and appeared moved by Jesberger's generosity. "The outpour of support from individuals like Bob, who choose to make a difference in our lives...we are grateful."

Alex said his son has stayed positive throughout his multiple surgeries, and he's ready to start living his life again. "He's looking forward to the arm transplant and the house," he said. "It goes a long way to making him independent."

Andrew McClure, executive vice president of Building Homes for Heroes, said it will cost about $500,000 to build the Staten Island home, and ground has already been broken on the project. He said it is scheduled to be completed by Easter Sunday. 

"This man gave his limbs for this country," Mangano said. "This is a tragic event for a family, but for our country, we must remember, and there's no better way than through the eyes of a patriot."