BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich., June 11, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Two U.S. war veterans and their families in San Antonio and one in Atlanta received the keys to a new, fully-furnished, mortgage-free home through PulteGroup's Built to Honor program today.
Built to Honor is PulteGroup's program for the construction and donation of mortgage-free homes to returning military personnel who have been injured during their terms of service. For 2014, the Company has committed more than $1 million to support the construction of at least 20 new homes.
Meet the Built to Honor Heroes
At the Centex community of Kensington Ranch near San Antonio, hundreds of well-wishers, community partners, trade partners and PulteGroup employees joined Army Captain Jeremy Baggett and Specialist Matthew Castillo del Muro as they saw their new Centex homes for the first time. The two veterans and their families were surprised with the news that they are the recipients of the mortgage-free homes at a special dinner Tuesday night.
Baggett, a Purple Heart recipient, was serving in Iraq in 2003 when he was severely wounded by an I.E.D. Despite his injuries and daily struggles, he has continued to serve as an officer, making a difference in the lives of other soldiers through the Continuation on Active Duty program. Captain Baggett is credited for saving the life of his battalion commander during an ambush and has received many other military commendations. He and his wife Teresa have three children, Abigail, Maggie and Micah.
Castillo del Muro, also a Purple Heart recipient, was serving in Afghanistan in 2010 when he was wounded by an I.E.D. while on patrol. He continues to work on his recovery from a leg amputation and other injuries as he and his wife Kalyn serve to support other soldiers individually and in group settings. He currently cares for their two young sons, Connor and Charles, and Kalyn works as an Arabic linguist for the U.S. Air Force.
In Greater Atlanta, Sgt. Perry Haley, his wife Autumn, and their three children received the keys to their new 2,600+ square foot home in the Pulte Homes' Barrington community in Sugar Hill, Georgia. Haley's military career spans 13 years where he has served at several U.S. bases. He was injured while serving in both Iraq and Korea, and has been dealing with health issues as a result of a brain tumor. He has received several commendations, including Army Achievement Medal, Army Superior Unit Award and Good Conduct Medal. Haley and his wife Autumn have three children, Georgia, Eva and Hannah.
"It was an exciting and emotional day for our local teams across the country as three deserving families were presented with their new homes," said Richard J. Dugas, Jr., PulteGroup chairman, president and chief executive officer. "These soldiers are a testament to courage, tenacity and valor, and we hope these homes will ease their struggles and provide them with security and peace of mind as they raise their beautiful children.
"I also want to recognize the national and local suppliers and contractors who have supported these three builds and all of the Built to Honor homes that will be donated this year," Dugas added. "It is only through their generous donation of materials, labor and/or financial support that this program is able to meet the needs of our deserving veterans."
Today's home donations are in collaboration with Operation FINALLY HOME, a 501(c)(3) organization that honors wounded, ill and injured veterans and widows of fallen soldiers with new custom-built, mortgage-free homes.
"We are so grateful to these veterans for their service and the sacrifices they have made to this country, and this gift of a home will enable them to focus on healing and raising their families without worry," said Rusty Carroll,executive director of Operation FINALLY HOME. "PulteGroup's Built to Honor program is providing themuch needed foundation to help veterans and their families move forward."
Achieving - Likely Exceeding the Goal of 20 Homes in 2014
PulteGroup's Divisions across the country have enthusiastically committed to build a home for a worthy veteran and their families in their respective markets - with some Divisions building two homes in 2014.According to Dugas, the Company is on track to meet the goal of building 20 Built to Honor homes in 2014, with June a very busy month with four ground breakings and four home dedications from Texas to Florida to Tennessee.
In 2014, veterans have already received homes in Las Vegas, Albuquerque and Phoenix with homes expected to be delivered in the states of California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.
"Our nation's wounded veterans face many challenges when returning home from deployment and the transition to civilian life can be difficult. We can make a difference by doing what we do best - building homes," added Dugas. "Our employees in markets across the nation are bringing to life PulteGroup's vision of making lives better. For all of us, it's about improving the lives of wounded veterans and their families."
About Built to Honor'
PulteGroup's Built to Honor' program was launched in 2013 to recognize and thank returning military personnel who have been injured during their term of service by providing mortgage-free homes to veterans and their families. Built to Honor works in partnership with nonprofit organizations, such as Operation FINALLY HOME to identify veteran candidates. Follow Built to Honor on Twitter: @BuiltToHonor.
About Operation FINALLY HOME
At Operation FINALLY HOME, we provide custom-built, mortgage free homes to America's Heroes and the widows of the fallen who have sacrificed so much to defend our freedoms and our way of life. We bring together corporate sponsors, builder associations, builders, developers, individual contributors, and volunteers to help these Heroes and their families transition to the home front by addressing one of their most pressing needs - a home to call their own. For more information about Operation FINALLY HOME please visit operationfinallyhome.org.
About PulteGroup, Inc.
PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE: PHM), based in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., is one of America's largest homebuilding companies with operations in approximately50 markets throughout the country. Through its brand portfolio that includes Centex, Pulte Homes, Del Webb and DiVosta Homes, the company is one of the industry's most versatile homebuilders able to meet the needs of multiple buyer groups and respond to changing consumer demand. PulteGroup conducts extensive research to provide homebuyers with innovative solutions and consumer inspired homes and communities to make lives better.
For more information about PulteGroup, Inc. and PulteGroup brands, go to pultegroupinc.com; www.pulte.com; www.centex.com; www.delwebb.com and www.divosta.com. Follow PulteGroup, Inc. on Twitter: @PulteGroupNews.
SOURCE PulteGroup, Inc.
