Summer 2020 HONORING OUR NATION’S HEROES THROUGH UNCERTAIN TIMES Our four pillar events – surprise, groundbreaking, Notes of Love and our dedication ceremony – mean a lot to us as an organization because each event is an opportunity for us to celebrate a deserving veteran and show them how much they mean to us. These events signify steps in a family’s journey with us which eventually culminate into a new mortgage-free home. In light of the coronavirus pandemic, in keeping consistent with our mission and values, we knew we needed to find a way to hold these meaningful events, even if it looks a little different than before. Our team got together and found new and responsible ways to honor our veterans while maintaining the integrity and tradition of our four signature events. U.S. Marine Sgt. T.J. Brennan and his family practice caution with face masks while receiving the keys to their mortgage-free home in a special, social-distanced dedication ceremony. We’ve introduced some virtual components to our events and implemented strict gathering dedication ceremony at the homesite in Hockley, Texas. In the first-of-its-kind restrictions and social-distancing measures at in- event for Operation FINALLY HOME, the ceremony was recorded onsite and person events. streamed online as a Facebook Premiere video on the organization’s page. This U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Matthew Andrews and format allowed for supporters from across the globe to access the celebration, his family were surprised with the news they will while maintaining a safe and socially responsible environment for the family and be receiving a mortgage-free home in Kalispell, limited guests onsite. Montana, during a Zoom meeting in June. It’s been an interesting journey trying to navigate through a global pandemic The family thought they were joining a Zoom but our Operation FINALLY HOME family is resilient and together we’ve managed meeting as part of the interview process and to make great memories and continue to honor heroes with homes during were overjoyed when they found out they were these most uncertain times. The provision of these homes is a way for everyday selected to receive a new mortgage-free, custom- Americans to honor those who have served with a gift of a mortgage-free home built home in Kalispell. and to remove the financial burden so the veteran and their family can focus U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Justin Reuber on their physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. We’re honored to be able and his family received keys to their new mortgage- to continue to serve these veterans and their families despite the reality of the free home during a small, socially-distanced current global pandemic. U.S. Army SSG Matthew Andrews and family surprised with plans of a U.S. Army SFC Justin Reuber and family receiving the keys to their new mortgage-free home during a socially-distanced mortgage-free home over Zoom. dedication ceremony. A Few Words from Dan HOMEFRONT HEROES Jessica Cole, wife and caregiver of U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Tyson Cole, has been doing great things with the Department of Veterans Affairs in Milwaukee and Indianapolis. The family received a mortgage- free home from Operation FINALLY HOME in 2019 and have been important members of our family and the veteran community ever since. Jessica is collaborating on several Facing Challenges Together projects with the VA and serves as an expert panelist on a current veteran Change is inevitable. We face many seasons study. Every project she works on in life, and in this season in particular I’m focuses around the mission of helping reminded of the saying, “man plans, God veterans and their caregivers, whether laughs.” that’s through data on experienced caregivers transitioning a veteran Throughout the course of this global back to the civilized world or offering pandemic everyone has had plans cancelled support services to veterans and their Jessica and Tyson Cole at a Green Bay Packers game last fall. or changed at a moment’s notice. Summer families on a national level. vacations, concerts and family reunions have been called off or postponed due to “The VA offers a lot of programs health concerns. While each cancellation that support families, as well and “change of plans” is accompanied by as the veteran. They’re really disappointment, it’s important to remember it’s out of our hands. All we can do as a beginning to think about the country is support one another and know family as a whole, instead of that God has a larger plan for us. just the veteran, which is really We are humbled and honored to do the important because it takes work that we do, where we are able to a united effort by the entire partner with generous builders and donors to provide America’s heroes with a safe family to help heal a veteran.” place to weather this storm. Stay-at-home The Cole kids enjoying time together as a family on a recent – Jessica Cole orders have served as a stark reminder camping trip. that our work is far from over. No matter how different our events may look, we look forward to continuing to change the lives of OFH STAFF SPOTLIGHT: TONI COLLETT these veterans for years to come. Operation FINALLY HOME Board Member It’s unclear how long this pandemic will last As we celebrate 15 years, we caught and what will finally end it entirely, but it’s up with board member Toni Collett who our civic duty as Americans to keep the faith has been with us since the beginning. through it all. Toni has been such a light on our team because of her giving heart and attitude. Toni has seen Operation FINALLY HOME God Bless, at every stage of its existence, and has helped it get to where it is today. Toni recently started teaching at a new school and is currently fighting breast cancer. She’s a true inspiration to our entire team, as well as her students. Dan Wallrath Founder of Operation FINALLY HOME Last spring she delivered a graduation speech to the entire school, where she gave this advice: “We all have a choice to decide how we approach life, this has been a year of adversity for all of us and we must look at how our mindset helped get us through. The most important reminder is to always put a positive spin on seemingly negative situations.” FROM THE GROUND UP PILLAR EVENTS U.S. Navy PO3 Russell Snodgrass – Lubbock, TX U.S. Marine Sgt T.J. Brennan – Culpeper, VA U.S. Army SGT Daniel Cappo – Menomonee Falls, WI Credit: Operation FINALLY HOME Operation FINALLY Credit: HOME Operation FINALLY Credit: Credit: Spinnaker Photography Credit: U.S. Army SFC Justin Reuber – Hockley, TX U.S. Army SFC Rich Stayskal – Aberdeen, NC Credit: Houston Texans Houston Texans Credit: Credit: Operation FINALLY HOME Operation FINALLY Credit: U.S. Army Veteran J.L. Cross – Cleveland, TN U.S. Army 1LT Eric Benson – Orlando, FL Credit:Cleveland Daily Banner Credit:Cleveland Credit: Operation FINALLY HOME Operation FINALLY Credit: PILLAR EVENTS: SURPRISES, GROUNDBREAKINGS, NOTES OF LOVE & DEDICATIONS May 22 Dedication U.S. Army SFC Justin Reuber Hockley, TX June 24 Surprise U.S. Army SSG Matthew Andrews Kalispell, MT June 25 Notes of Love U.S. Navy PO3 Russell Snodgrass Lubbock, TX June 30 Dedication U.S. Marine Sgt. T.J. Brennan Culpeper, VA July 2 Groundbreaking U.S. Army SFC Rich Stayskal Aberdeen, NC July 9 Notes of Love U.S. Army Veteran J.L. Cross Cleveland, TN July 11 Dedication U.S. Army SGT Daniel Cappo Menomonee Falls, WI July 15 Surprise U.S. Army 1LT Eric Benson Orlando, FL July 28 Groundbreaking U.S. Marine Sgt. Aaron Zurn Vandalia, OH SUMMER FUN HOW ARE OUR HEROES? A very patriotic Memorial Day – Jantz Family – Watauga, Texas (Cameron Classic Homes) Family portrait time! – Goodrich Family – Stafford, Virginia Camping with the whole family! – Ashby Family – (Miller & Smith) Fort Worth, Texas (PulteGroup Built to Honor) “We are taking it easy this summer. This Memorial Day we spent time remembering all of our nation’s heroes but especially all of the men and women Gone hiking! – Walker Family – Maple Grove, Minnesota Travis served with.” – Kristen Jantz (PulteGroup Built to Honor) Pre-K Graduation – Roca Family Beating the summer heat! – Nelms Family – Summer fun! – Hutcheson Family – Ground Ball, Georgia (Portico – Land O’Lakes, Florida (Lennar Round Rock, Texas (Wilshire Homes) Properties, Southern Living Custom Builder Program) Homes) Congratulations on your high school Happy 7th Birthday! – Kadleck Family – All smiles here! – Veros Family – Jacksonville, Florida (PulteGroup Built to graduation! – Roca Family – Land The Woodlands, Texas (Beazer Homes) Honor) O’Lakes, Florida (Lennar Homes) FOLLOW US! SOCIAL CORNER @ OperationFINALLYHOME @ OpFinallyHome @ OperationFinallyHome @ Operation FINALLY HOME FACES, PLACES & SPACES HOMEFRONT & CENTER OPERATION FINALLY HOME PARTNERS WITH NATIONAL SEATING & MOBILITY Operation FINALLY HOME and National Seating & Mobility (NSM) teamed to provide a new wheelchair ramp for U.S. Marine veteran Ray Marin at his home in Austin, Texas. NSM is the leading provider of complete mobility solutions; including mobility equipment, home & vehicle accessibility and maintenance & repair services supporting independence for individuals with mobility challenges. The project marks the beginning of a new partnership between the two organizations to support mobility and accessibility for veterans in need. THE CHARLOTTE DESIGNER SHOWHOUSES PULTEGROUP’S BUILT TO HONOR PROGRAM RECOGNIZED In response to COVID-19 AS 2020 HEARTHSTONE AWARD WINNER shutdowns, the Interior Design PulteGroup’s Built to Honor Society (IDS) of Charlotte is Program received the 2020 hosting a video Pay-Per-View Hearthstone Award for their tour of three homes, designed partnership with Operation with the coordination of 45 FINALLY HOME.