EAGLE RIVER, AK--(MARKET WIRE)--Jul 17, 2008 -- Rebuilding Together®, a nonprofit organization working to preserve affordable homeownership, is providing modifications and repairs at the home of Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran Juan Guerrero through its Serving Those Who Serve(SM) program today. Countrywide® Financial Corporation has contributed more than $1.2 million as the founding sponsor of a nationwide program that provides free home modifications to severely-injured soldiers and veterans returning from Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Volunteers from the community had begun work on the Guerrero home which Rebuilding Together was able to finish thanks to the generous funding of Countrywide. The home renovations necessary to accommodate Juan's injuries were something that the family was struggling to complete, and Juan displayed his gratitude for the help. "Thank you for your time and your dedication to helping Wounded Warriors," Juan stated. "This is not something we could have done on our own."

"Rebuilding Together is proud to be working to assist Juan Guerrero," said T.J. Cantwell, Director of Veterans Housing at Rebuilding Together. "Veterans and soldiers like Juan have sacrificed so much for our country, and with this generous grant from Countrywide Financial Corporation, we are making this house and many more homes safe and accessible for soldiers injured during service abroad."

Juan was deployed to Iraq in October of 2006, where he served until his unit came under attack in July of 2007. An IED explosion left him severely injured. The explosion resulted in acute bone breaks in both of his legs and feet, and extensive muscle and skin damage on both legs. His injuries now necessitate Juan to use a wheelchair to get around. Home renovations in the master bedroom and bathroom were provided to allow for greater accessibility in the home.

Rebuilding Together assisted with the work at the home that provided for the completion of new electrical and plumbing work. In addition, new sheetrock, tile flooring, and a new ADA compliant bathroom and shower were installed. With these new additions, Juan will be able to move about his home safely and with greater ease.

Serving Those Who Serve(SM) projects have been completed for more than 23 families across the country. For further information about applying to the Serving Those Who Serve(SM) program or to make a contribution, go to www.servingthosewhoserve.com.

About Countrywide

In 2007, Countrywide Financial Corporate celebrated its tenth anniversary as a national sponsor of Rebuilding Together. Countrywide is a member of the S&P 500, Forbes Global 2000 and Fortune 500. Through its family of companies, Countrywide provides mortgage-centric financial services. Mortgage banking businesses include loan production and loan servicing principally through Countrywide Home Loans, Inc., which originates, purchases, securitizes, sells, and services prime and nonprime loans; and loan closing services provided by the LandSafe group of companies. Diversified financial services encompass banking, capital markets and insurance, largely through the activities of Countrywide Bank, N.A., a bank offering depository and home loan products; Countrywide Capital Markets, a mortgage-related investment banker; Balboa Life and Casualty Group, whose companies are national providers of property, life and casualty insurance; and Balboa Reinsurance, a captive mortgage reinsurance company. The company is headquartered in Calabasas, California. For more information, visit Countrywide's website at www.countrywide.com.

About Rebuilding Together

Rebuilding Together is the nation's largest nonprofit organization working to preserve affordable homeownership and revitalize neighborhoods by providing home repair and renovation services free of charge to those in need. Through the support of corporate sponsors, local businesses and the hands-on work of over 200,000 volunteers, Rebuilding Together renovates and repairs nearly 10,000 homes and nonprofit facilities annually with a market value of nearly $100 million.

In addition to its core home repair work, Rebuilding Together renovates community centers and conducts home modification and repair programs that focus on elder home safety, energy efficiency, veterans housing, and disaster recovery and reconstruction. Rebuilding Together has over 200 affiliates and recently celebrated the completion of its 100,000th project. For more information, visit www.RebuildingTogether.org.

About Serving Those Who Serve

Rebuilding Together's Serving Those Who Serve(SM) was developed to meet the needs of injured soldiers and veterans returning from Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. We focus on providing home modifications and repairs to help ease the transition of the veteran or soldier back into their home after a life altering injury. The projects focus on the rehabilitation of their homes to help make them safer, more comfortable and to improve the quality of life for the veteran or soldier by helping them live with greater independence and improved mobility. The projects will not only modify the home; we believe it will help the individual, the family, and the community to heal. Serving Those Who Serve focuses on helping veterans who suffer from one or any combination of four injuries including loss of sight, loss of hearing, mobility impairments, and traumatic brain injury.

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