WASHINGTON, Nov. 11, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. Army Sgt.
Matthew White with his two dogs Nike
and Toffee recently received the keys to a new mortgage-free and
fully-furnished Centex home in the Cherry Hill Crossing community
in Dumfries, Virginia. The new
home was donated by PulteGroup's Built to Honor program, which
provides the gift of a new home to wounded veterans and their
families across the country.
Click here for photo
gallery.
An enthusiastic group of more than 100 well-wishers, including
the North Stafford HS AFJRROTC Color Guard, Combat Veteran
Motorcycle Association riders, Hampton
Roads 82nd Airborne Division veterans, friends,
family members, PulteGroup employees, and trade partners were on
hand to greet Sgt. White as he arrived to the dedication ceremony
for his new home.
"It has truly been an honor to build this home for Sgt. White
who served our country with honor and integrity," said Jarod Blaney, Mid-Atlantic division president of
PulteGroup, which is the parent company of Centex, Pulte Homes and
Del Webb. "The home is a way
for us to say thank you for what Matthew has done for our country
and what he has gone through on his path to recovery. We respect
his bravery and dedication, fighting spirit and his giving heart,
and want to join the Dumfries
community in welcoming him with open arms."
During Sgt. White's second deployment to Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom, he
was injured on a dismounted foot patrol by an I.E.D, had countless
surgeries and eventually had his right leg amputated from the knee
down. In addition to competing in many running and sporting events,
Matthew works with the Senate Committee on Veteran's Affairs and
Board of Veteran's Appeal in the FOIA office in order to help other
veterans and their families.
More than 50 national and local contractors, trade partners and
PulteGroup employees donated time, money and resources to build the
1,800+ sq. ft. townhome. In particular, the home's furniture was
donated by Rachael Ray from her new
Rachael Ray Home collection. Sgt.
White is expected to share his story of recovery and transition to
civilian life on a special Veterans
Day segment on the Rachael Ray Show Friday, November 11, 2016.
In advance of the event, Sgt. White also encouraged attendees to
bring nonperishable food and pet supplies in support of various
local community organizations. Guests as well as Pet Valu
generously gave more than 100 pounds of donations and money to
support Sgt. White's outreach efforts.
"I'm very involved with several anti-animal cruelty campaigns
and I wanted this event to also be an opportunity to gather
donations for the local shelters and rescues in the area," said
Sgt. White.
Sgt. White applied for the new home through 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.
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.
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wounded-veteran-receives-keys-to-new-mortgage-free-home-in-virginia-300361281.html
SOURCE PulteGroup, Inc.