Members of the Arkansas Tech University and surrounding communities will give back to an ATU alumnus who sacrificed for his country on Saturday, Sept. 16.
A volunteer day of service in support of U.S. Army Sgt. Christopher Tarte and his new accessible residence from Homes For Our Troops will give individuals an opportunity to contribute to the effort by laying sod, planting bushes and trees, putting out mulch and otherwise beautifying the outside of the home.
Volunteers are invited to bring their own tools, shovels, rakes and gloves.
Shuttle buses will transport volunteers from West Side Church of Christ, 2300 West C Street in Russellville, to the home site beginning at 9 a.m. on Sept. 16. Work will commence at 10 a.m. and continue until the job is done, at which point lunch will be served.
Those wishing to volunteer may RSVP at www.hfotusa.org/Tarte.
Tarte worked in the ATU Bookstore and the ATU Museum during his time as an undergraduate student. He was also active in the Church of Christ Student Center before earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in speech communication in 2006.
He went on to serve his country in Afghanistan as a combat engineer. On Oct. 29, 2011, Tarte’s vehicle hit an improvised explosive device. His injuries included leg fractures in more than 10 places, a pulmonary embolism, vertebrae fractures and traumatic brain injury. His right leg was amputated below the knee, leading to months of rehabilitation at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas.
By February 2015, a prosthetic and physical therapy had Tarte running again. Today, he plays sitting volleyball, reads, paints, plays guitar and spends time with his kids.
Tarte was selected by Homes For Our Troops to receive a four-bedroom, mortgage-free, adapted home.
