LITTLE ELM, TEXAS – July 14, 2016 - U.S. Army Specialist Michael Emerick and his family had their dream of home ownership come true, as they were handed the keys to a new Centex home thanks to the homebuilder’ Built to Honor program. PulteGroup employees and others cheered the family of six as they saw their completed mortgage free home for the first time.
“Being awarded this home offers my family financial stability and the opportunity to belong to an amazing community,” said U.S. Army Specialist Michael Emerick. “We are being given the chance to raise our family in a positive environment while teaching them what it means to give back to others.”
The Emerick family, who have been living out of state with extended family, have worked with on-site sales associates and designers over the past several months to pick out finishes, cabinets and flooring for their five bedroom, two-level, 2,795-square-foot home. What they didn’t know is that the home was fully furnished with many other surprises inside.
The home interiors were custom decorated to reflect the personal tastes and interests of the Purple Heart recipient, his wife Jessica and four young sons, said Tiffany Jones, merchandising manager for PulteGroup. Jones is part of a 33-member PulteGroup national team that designs interiors for nearly 1.5 million square feet of model home and commercial projects on an annual basis for the Company.
“Liam and Rowan’s room is super hero inspired, Hunter’s room is decorated with plaids and a rustic theme, and little Elijah’s nursery is highlighted with blue and brown tones,” Jones said. “The family had no idea the home would be furnished and it’s so exciting for us to plan these details that make the home even more special.”
The company’s Dallas Division built the new home along with dozens of local trade partners in the Centex community of Paloma Creek in Little Elm, Texas said Bryan Swindell, president of PulteGroup’s Dallas Division.
“We are so thankful for the generosity of the many contractors who will be supporting this effort to build this beautiful new Centex home,” Swindell said. “Michael has served our country with pride and we hope this new home will help ease his struggles and provide his family many future happy memories.”
PulteGroup’s Built to Honor program worked with Military Warriors Support Foundation to identify the Emerick family for the new home donation. The organization works with families as they transition out of the military and into new civilian life.
Emerick, 33, was deployed to Afghanistan soon after he joined the Army. During a four-hour firefight where Emerick was manning a weapon mounted on top of a Humvee, his helmet shattered after being struck by enemy fire and slamming him into the vehicle. The battle where he sustained multiple injuries is documented in a book entitled “Outlaw Platoon,” which was written by his commenting officer. A highly decorated veteran, Emerick has a Purple Heart among many other military commendations.
About Built to Honor™
PulteGroup’s Built to Honor™ program recognizes and thanks returning military personnel who have been injured during their term of service by providing mortgage-free homes to veterans and their families. Launched in 2013, PulteGroup’s Built to Honor program has built and donated more than 40 homes across the country. Built to Honor works in partnership with nonprofit organizations to identify veteran candidates. Follow Built to Honor on Twitter: @BuiltToHonor or Facebook.com/BuiltToHonor
“Being awarded this home offers my family financial stability and the opportunity to belong to an amazing community,” said U.S. Army Specialist Michael Emerick. “We are being given the chance to raise our family in a positive environment while teaching them what it means to give back to others.”
The Emerick family, who have been living out of state with extended family, have worked with on-site sales associates and designers over the past several months to pick out finishes, cabinets and flooring for their five bedroom, two-level, 2,795-square-foot home. What they didn’t know is that the home was fully furnished with many other surprises inside.
The home interiors were custom decorated to reflect the personal tastes and interests of the Purple Heart recipient, his wife Jessica and four young sons, said Tiffany Jones, merchandising manager for PulteGroup. Jones is part of a 33-member PulteGroup national team that designs interiors for nearly 1.5 million square feet of model home and commercial projects on an annual basis for the Company.
“Liam and Rowan’s room is super hero inspired, Hunter’s room is decorated with plaids and a rustic theme, and little Elijah’s nursery is highlighted with blue and brown tones,” Jones said. “The family had no idea the home would be furnished and it’s so exciting for us to plan these details that make the home even more special.”
The company’s Dallas Division built the new home along with dozens of local trade partners in the Centex community of Paloma Creek in Little Elm, Texas said Bryan Swindell, president of PulteGroup’s Dallas Division.
“We are so thankful for the generosity of the many contractors who will be supporting this effort to build this beautiful new Centex home,” Swindell said. “Michael has served our country with pride and we hope this new home will help ease his struggles and provide his family many future happy memories.”
PulteGroup’s Built to Honor program worked with Military Warriors Support Foundation to identify the Emerick family for the new home donation. The organization works with families as they transition out of the military and into new civilian life.
Emerick, 33, was deployed to Afghanistan soon after he joined the Army. During a four-hour firefight where Emerick was manning a weapon mounted on top of a Humvee, his helmet shattered after being struck by enemy fire and slamming him into the vehicle. The battle where he sustained multiple injuries is documented in a book entitled “Outlaw Platoon,” which was written by his commenting officer. A highly decorated veteran, Emerick has a Purple Heart among many other military commendations.
About Built to Honor™
PulteGroup’s Built to Honor™ program recognizes and thanks returning military personnel who have been injured during their term of service by providing mortgage-free homes to veterans and their families. Launched in 2013, PulteGroup’s Built to Honor program has built and donated more than 40 homes across the country. Built to Honor works in partnership with nonprofit organizations to identify veteran candidates. Follow Built to Honor on Twitter: @BuiltToHonor or Facebook.com/BuiltToHonor
