Baths For The Brave 2020
Early morning, Wednesday, November 11, Team Reborn ‘crashed’ the home of Richard Castro, from Anaheim, to provide his home with a brand-new shower system. A retired U.S. Navy veteran who served during the Vietnam War from 1965-1969, Castro told his story of enlisting in the Navy at 17 years old, expecting to be serving at sea, then turned out to be trained as a Hospital Corpsman with the Marines. He shared about being diagnosed with cancer and how it was found to be a result of coming in contact with Agent Orange during his time of service. Due to his current health conditions, Mr. Castro’s former shower was a struggle and difficult for him to use, and upgrade from Reborn Cabinets was a perfectly timed blessing for our veteran.
“I’ve been given a gift. I haven’t felt like this in such a long time. The same day after hearing I found out a new shower was being provided to me, I received a call that my cancer was in remission. I’ve had a lot of prayers going for me and to have this happen, is just another blessing.” His eyes tear up as he shouts, “Praise God!” Reborn Cabinets founder and veteran Vinny Nardo (U.S. Navy 1954-1956), shared his sentiments with Mr. Castro and explained why he wanted Reborn to become involved in a program that gave back to veterans. Chuck Kimmich, Reborn’s 2019 Baths for the Brave honoree, along with a handful of veterans were also in attendance and exchanged stories from their years of service with Mr. Castro.
A highlight from the event included Captain Buchanan and firefighters from Anaheim’s Station 9 who drove up in a bright red fire engine. East Anaheim Police Department’s Sergeant Brian Janochan and police officers also came in police vehicles, and at 12:30 p.m., Anaheim Police Department’s Angel (helicopter unit) flew over Mr. Castro’s home and announced on the loudspeaker: ‘Anaheim Police Department wants to wish you all a Happy Veterans Day. Thank you for your service, Mr. Castro’, then turned on the sirens as they flew away.
In the afternoon, the grand reveal of the new shower was given to Mr. Castro as he was surrounded by friends and family. Mr. Castro was so pleased with his new shower, and remarked on his excitement to use the shower as soon as possible! Click here to watch a video of the day’s events!
A special thank you to our local dignitaries and special guests who came to celebrate Mr. Castro with us: Anaheim Mayor Harry Sidhu, Anaheim City Councilmen Stephen Faessel and Jose Diaz, Janet Brown from the office of Congressman Lou Correa, Scott Voigt from Supervisor Don Wagner’s office, Councilman Trevor O’Neil and Army PaYS Marketer, Army Veteran Corin-Manning, Shaun Wood from E.B. Bradley, Miss Anaheim Hills Bria Williams, Miss Anaheim Hills’ Outstanding Teen Sophie Nessary, Miss Anaheim Jocelyn Garcia, Miss Anaheim’s Outstanding Teen Kayla Arellano, Miss Canyon Hills Maddie Coryell, and Miss Canyon Hills’ Outstanding Teen Maya Coyne.